Hospice care FAQs

The Merrimack Valley Hospice Program, a service of the Home Health Foundation, is a comprehensive, holistic service for patients whose illness has progressed beyond a need or desire for curative treatments. Hospice is a highly specialized program, providing physical and emotional care which is focused on the patient's comfort as well as support for family caregivers.

Hospice is the best choice when aggressive, cure-focused treatment is no longer effective, and the goals for health care are pain management, symptom control, emotional and spiritual comfort, and support for families. Merrimack Valley Hospice cares for patients with a variety of medical conditions and for patients of all ages.

The goal of hospice care is to enable patients to live their remaining months with dignity and comfort, in the place they call home, surrounded by the people and things they love. Hospice helps patients to achieve a peaceful life closure, aligned to their values, wishes and needs. Hospice care neither hastens nor delays natural death.

Our Merrimack Valley Hospice staff members come to the patient's place of residence for home visits. They coordinate their efforts to meet the medical, emotional, spiritual and practical needs of the patient and family. By working with the primary caregiver(s), our Hospice Program enables patients to stay in the comfort of their homes during this very precious time of life. Our Hospice Program also cares for patients in assisted living centers, retirement homes, and nursing homes.

Hospice care is brought to the patient by a team of nurses, medical social workers, home health aides/homemakers, spiritual counselors, bereavement counselors and volunteers. The team works closely with the patient's physician and the Hospice Medical Director.

Hospice care is a benefit of Medicare, Medicaid, and most HMO/insurance plans. For those who are in financial hardship, sliding scale fees are offered. Community donations are also used to provide care for patients in special need. Our goal is that everyone who needs hospice care receives it.

Merrimack Valley Hospice provides bereavement support services to family members for up to one year following the death. These services include an annual community memorial service, informational mailings, individual/family meetings, and bereavement support groups.

The process can begin with a phone call from anyone - the patient, family member, or health care provider: 978-552-4444. Often the patient's physician or the hospital social worker will suggest hospice services. Patients and families who are interested in hospice should discuss this with the physician. Our hospice nurses are available to discuss hospice in detail with the patient and the family.

The Circle Home Palliative Care Program recognizes the importance of care for patients with serious illness who require symptom control. If and when hospice services are chosen, a referral is made to Merrimack Valley Hospice.

Our Hospice Program is this area's first established and most experienced Hospice Program. We are a non-profit, mission-focused agency. Circle Home is a local agency and is an affiliate of the local health care system, Circle Health. We know our communities well and are connected to resources that may be of help to you. Our staff lives in this area and can respond quickly to your needs at any time.