Hospice Care in Massachusetts
At West River Hospice in Massachusetts , our priority is to enhance the quality of life for our patients and their families by managing symptoms and easing pain.
Volunteers Are Valued
The goal of hospice is to provide comfort, reduce suffering, and preserve patient dignity. Volunteers are valued members of the hospice team, sharing the desire to bring comfort and the best quality of life to our patients.
“How people die remains in the memory of those who live on.”
~ Dame Cicely Saunders,
Founder of the modern hospice movement
Your Team
The West River Hospice team of experts provides a holistic approach to relieving pain, managing symptoms, and giving spiritual and emotional support. After a comprehensive assessment with the patient and family, a plan of care will be implemented by your team of caregivers.
Services
Hospice Care is a fully covered benefit under Medicare, Medicaid, and many other health plans with no limits on length of stay as long as the patient continues to meet eligibility. Under this benefit any medical equipment, medications, and supplies related to the hospice diagnosis will be covered.
COVERED SERVICES
- Physician-directed services
- Specialized nursing care
- Personal care provided by our hospice aides
- Medical Social Worker services
- Emotional and spiritual counseling support
- Trained volunteers
- 24-hour on-call availability
- Respite care
- Short-term inpatient care for symptom management
- 13 months of bereavement services
With the aid of the West River Hospice team and specialized services, patients and families are able to live a more fulfilled life.
Eligibility
Hospice care is intended for people who have a life-limiting illness with a life expectancy of six months or less and have made the choice to receive comfort care rather than curative care treatments.
END STAGE DIAGNOSES ASSOCIATED WITH HOSPICE:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Heart failure
- Respiratory disease
- Liver disease
- Renal disease
- AIDS/HIV
- Neurological disease
- Stroke or coma
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES INCLUDE:
- Progressive weight loss
- Recurrent infections
- Decline in functional ability
- Decline in mental status
- Frequent hospitalizations
A Special Partnership
Hospice patients in Long-Term Care experience fewer hospitalizations than non-hospice patients.
Studies have shown that when Skilled Nursing Facilities partner with a hospice, residents and families are more satisfied with care at the end of life.
Hospice programs provide ongoing education and support to the Skilled Nursing Facility staff, improving job satisfaction, leading to improved retention and lower turnover cost.
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