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ChristianaCare, one of the most dynamic health systems in the mid-Atlantic region, and Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Delaware Inc., an AccentCare company and leading provider of hospice and palliative care services in the first state for more than 14 years, today announced a joint venture partnership that will expand in-home hospice and palliative care services throughout Delaware. The name of the company will be ChristianaCare-Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care. ChristianaCare-Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care will focus on delivering high-quality care to patients and an unparalleled experience for patients and families facing end-of-life care at affordable costs. With this partnership, ChristianaCare-Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care will reinforce its position as the preferred provider of hospice and palliative care services in Delaware. The joint venture builds on an existing successful relationship between ChristianaCare and Seasons Hospice. Since 2012, Seasons Hospice has managed an inpatient 12-bed unit specifically for hospice patients at ChristianaCare’s Newark campus. Last year, Seasons Hospice opened a similar 13-bed unit at ChristianaCare’s Wilmington campus. The need for hospice and palliative care is expected to dramatically grow in Delaware in coming years. According to 2019 state statistics, the percent change in the age group of people 65 and older in Delaware will jump from about 18% in 2021 to 52% in 2030 and 62% in 2040. “With a burgeoning baby boomer population in Delaware, it will be more important than ever to deliver the right care, at the right time and in the right place — in many cases in the home — with an expert team and an unwavering focus on compassion and dignity for patients and their loved ones facing end-of-life care,” said Ric Cuming, Ed.D., MSN, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, chief nurse executive at ChristianaCare and president of ChristianaCare HomeHealth. “This partnership builds on a history of collaboration between two expert teams — ChristianaCare and Seasons Hospice — and will provide people throughout the state with access to high quality, compassionate care.” “We are excited to partner with ChristianaCare to deliver hospice and palliative care services throughout Delaware,” said Todd Stern, CEO of Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care. “Our patients and their families will continue to experience compassionate, supportive care that is personalized to suit their needs and add to their quality of life. Together, we have a rare opportunity to shape the future of post-acute care so people who need our services can receive them on their terms and where they want them. We believe that ChristianaCare and Seasons Hospice, with support from AccentCare, have the expertise and vision to offer high quality, patient-centered care.” The joint venture will enable ChristianaCare to provide care throughout the entire span of a patient’s life, from birth to end of life. Patients will no longer need to transfer from ChristianaCare to another provider for end-of-life care. Seasons Hospice will manage daily patient care. A governing Board will consist of three individuals from each organization. The Board will establish a clinical and quality oversight committee. For more information, visit www.christianacare.org/hospice.