Compassionate palliative care wherever patients call home.
Palliative care is a person-centered approach that factors in support, comfort, and quality of life so patients can live as fully as possible with the accompanying symptoms of a serious illness. As the only regional provider of comprehensive primary palliative care in the home, NVNA and Hospice is proud to care for those facing complex diagnoses in the comfort of their own environment.
Our medical director and palliative nurse practitioners offer a strong support system with holistic palliative care, working with patients and families to address care goals, planning for the future, and symptom management.
Our palliative program delivers:
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Tailored palliative care plans that anticipate needs and achieve care goals with a focus on what is most important to each patient as a whole person
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Relief from distressing symptoms (physical, psychosocial and spiritual) through high-level complex symptom and pain management
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Lifestyle and coping support to help patients live as actively as possible and adjust to potential changes in their abilities
1,000+
palliative patients served each year
5/5
patient experience rating with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
27
towns served across the South Shore region, from Milton to Plymouth
Towns We Serve
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Abington
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Braintree
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Bridgewater
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Carver
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Cohasset
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Duxbury
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East Bridgewater
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Halifax
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Hanover
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Hanson
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Hingham
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Holbrook
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Hull
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Kingston
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Marshfield
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Milton
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Norwell
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Pembroke
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Plymouth
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Plympton
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Quincy
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Randolph
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Rockland
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Scituate
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West Bridgewater
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Weymouth
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Whitman
Are You or a Loved One Interested in Learning More About Palliative Care and Hospice? Find our FAQ below.
What is the main difference between home palliative care and home hospice care?
Palliative care focuses on providing relief from symptoms and stress related to serious, life-limiting illness at any stage of the disease.
Hospice care prioritizes comfort and quality of life when a patient’s physician or medical team determines that curative treatments are no longer effective or desired.
Both palliative care and hospice care services may be implemented in a home setting.
Why might a patient choose palliative care?
Patients with serious illnesses may choose palliative care in order to manage symptoms such as pain, nausea, and fatigue, to improve quality of life, and to receive emotional and psychosocial support during difficult transitions.
What is the criteria for hospice vs. palliative care?
Hospice care is intended for anyone with a life-limiting illness who is likely to have six months or less to live if there are no interventions planned in terms of curative or treatment measures. A patient may exceed this expectancy and still receive hospice services.
In contrast, palliative care can be accessed at any stage of a serious illness and is appropriate for those seeking to alleviate symptoms alongside potentially curative treatments. Patients utilizing palliative care may also continue to pursue skilled rehabilitation services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
How does a person gain access to hospice care?
To gain access to hospice care, a patient typically requires a referral from their physician or medical team, confirming the eligibility criteria of a terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less to live. Once referred, the hospice provider will conduct an assessment to determine the appropriate level of care and support needed.
What additional benefits are offered through hospice care?
Patients and families utilizing hospice care have access to home health aide services, 24/7 on-call nurse availability, spiritual care, and volunteer services as part of the hospice benefit. Durable medical equipment, such as oxygen, hospital beds, and wheelchairs, is provided at no cost, and comfort medications are delivered directly to the patient’s home.