The first free-standing inpatient hospice center in Loudoun County is slated to open its doors by summer 2013.

The $15 million Adler Center for Caring of the Van Metre Campus will be a 50,000 square foot, state-of-the-art 21-bed facility built on four acres of property donated by Van Metre Companies in the Stone Ridge Community on Route 50.

“Years ago, we realized there was a huge need for the patients and families in the Loudoun region to access inpatient hospice and palliative care in a place close to their homes,” said CEO and President of Capital Caring Malene S. Davis.

Officials are hoping once the facility opens, it will alleviate the burden on the Halquist Memorial Inpatient Center in Arlington, which operates at full capacity with only 15 beds a waiting list.

“There’s nothing like this in our area,” said Linda Rawlett, Capital Caring’s Loudoun region general manager in June 2011. “It will be so welcome.”
In addition to providing hospice care for inpatients, the Adler Center will have a palliative care practice to help non-hospice patients with symptom management.

The facility, once completed, will offer meeting and clinical offices for home care teams serving Loudoun, Stafford, Fauquier and Prince William counties.
Officials broke ground on the property June 15.

The groundbreaking is the result of years of diligent fundraising and planning, according to a statement Capital Caring.

The dream of an inpatient center to serve those in need of hospice and palliative care in the Loudoun region come to fruition more than eight years ago, when residents from River Creek decided this type of care should be offered in their community.

They began work in earnest with Capital Caring to raise the $15 million needed by hosting the first annual Daffodil Ball. The annual Van Metre Polo Cup and other special events eventually followed.

“Regionally only 30 percent of those eligible for hospice care are accessing it, while demand for hospice care will grow as our aging population surges,” said Capital Caring Board Member, philanthropist and entrepreneur Len Adler. “There is a critical shortage of inpatient hospice beds for a community of our size. This new inpatient center will not only help close this gap, it will be a national model for excellence in hospice and palliative care.”

According to the Capital Hospice Inpatient Center, demand for hospice care has increased 40 percent over the last three years.

More than $13 million has been raised for the Adler Center so far, according to Capital Caring, but more is needed. Anyone wishing to contribute to the project can contact Carol Cassidy, vice president of Resource Development at 703-531-2399 or via email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). In addition, commemorative bricks are available to families for purchase who wish to honor a loved one who has died with a personal inscription. These bricks will be part of the center. All contributions are tax deductible.