Welcome To PATCH

The PATCH program provides home palliative care for the elderly who are nearing the ends of their lives, suffering with chronic and multiple medical problems that are not reversible.  Through PATCH, patients who would otherwise have great difficulty accessing medical care are able to receive it in their homes.  The PATCH team attends to  the medical and psychosocial needs of patients, and patient's family and other caregivers to optimize their quality of life through palliative care.

PATCH also is designed for teaching home palliative care to residents in internal medicine and other medical learners. This is a unique opportunity for trainees, whose exposure to palliative care teaching is typically in the hospital with younger and cancer patients.  The PATCH curriculum addresses issues seen in geriatrics, palliative care and home care.  Trainees learn how to assess and care for patients' palliative care needs in the home setting.

Supported by a grant from the Aetna Foundation