The Partners In Caring program at Banner Desert Medical Center is committed to encouraging a supportive relationship between our patients, their loved ones and the health care team, through compassion, communication and respect for individual choice, which empowers people to heal in a nurturing environment.

With this in mind, we've developed the Partners in Caring program that encourages patients to select a family member or friend to provide additional support during your stay in the hospital. This person would be designated as your personal partner in caring.

Question: What does a person in Partners in Caring do?

Answer: The care partner becomes acts as a patient's support for emotional, physical, educational and spiritual needs during the healing process. Care partner's duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Accompanying the patient to tests and treatments
• Keep family members and friends informed of a patient's progress as desired
• Assist with menu selection
• Read to or write letters for the patient
• Assist with the patient's personal care such as bathing, grooming and oral hygiene
• Provide comfort measures for patients such as back rubs, foot rubs, manicures and music or relaxation tapes
• Provide companionship and assist in maintaining a patient's therapy and safety
• Help plan the patient's discharge and after care

Question: What if my care partner doesn't feel comfortable doing all of the activities listed?

Answer: The role of the Partner in Caring will largely be determined by the patient's needs, physical condition and the desires of the care partner.

Question: What are the benefits of the program?

Answer: For the patient, a care partner can help enhance the healing process while in the hospital and after discharge by performing some of the tasks or comfort measures the patient might have difficulty completing alone.

The care partner also serves as an advocate and works in partnership with the patient and the hospital's health care team to best plan the treatment and recovery process.

The care partner provides direct support for at a time when the patient needs it most .

To thank those who participate in the Partners in Caring program, care partners receive a 15 percent discount in the Cafe. To receive the discount, care partners need to wear their Partners in Caring badges.