Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice Programs & Services
Whatever special care you need at home or in managing end-of-life eventualities, our team of highly skilled staff members is ready to help. As a certified Medicare/Medicaid agency, Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice offers a comprehensive set of home-based services and programs for patients in Hampshire County and parts of Franklin County.
Skilled Nursing
Professional nurses, your doctor and other members of our team collaborate with you to design a plan that suits your needs. We work with you to determine your goals and communicate with your doctors so that we are informed and up-to-date on your health status and preferences for all arrangements regarding care. Services include:
- Helping managing diseases, conditions and medications
- Intravenous therapy
- Care following surgery
- Wound care
- Assistance to promote independent living at home
Rehabilitation Services
Our specialized team of rehabilitation professionals includes physical, occupational and speech therapists that can help you achieve your highest level of function and independence following an illness or injury. Services include:
- Help recovering from injuries, cardiac or orthopedic surgery
- Help managing or recovering from neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease or stroke
- Training to prevent falls
- Home-safety recommendations
- Help learning to manage incontinence
Learn more about Rehabilitation Services
Home Health Aides
Home health aides are invaluable when a change in your status limits your ability to care for yourself. They can assist with:
- Personal care, such as bathing and grooming
- Walking and moving between your chairs and your bed
- Exercise for strength and balance
- Medication reminders
- Light homemaking and meal preparation
Palliative Care
Palliative care is care that specializes in treating patients with serious illness, with the goal of improving their quality of life. Our palliative care staff members attend to you at home to help you manage the symptoms common to many such illnesses, including:
- Congestive heart failure
- Lung disease
- Kidney failure
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Parkinson’s disease
Our team works to relieve your physical and emotional symptoms and help you achieve your functional goals for daily living. Team members may include a physician, nurse, social worker, home health aide and physical, occupational and/or speech therapist.
Learn more about Palliative Care
Hospice Care
Our hospice team cares for terminally ill patients and their families, primarily at home. Hospice care does not hasten or postpone death. Rather, it helps patients and families live fully, prepare for the end of life and maintain personal control as long as possible. Hospice tends to the mind, body and spirit through unique support, including:
- Skilled nursing care
- Physician collaboration
- Medications
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Social work counseling
- Spiritual care
- Specialized care, such as therapeutic harp music, Journey Home bedside singers, Reiki and massage
Medical Social Work Services
Our Masters level licensed social workers can assist with a variety of patient concerns related to our home care programs, including:
- Assessment of emotional coping and social supports
- Referrals for community services
- Guidance regarding insurance programs such as MassHealth
- Resources for caregivers
- Illness-specific support information
- Information about health care wishes, including use of the MOLST and Health Care Proxy documents
- End of Life care options
