10 Steps to Making the Most of Living with a Serious Illness

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Lisa Conti If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a serious illness, life can become pretty scary and confusing. Here are 10 steps to help manage pain and symptoms and decide whether palliative care or hospice care is right for for you.

1. Take a deep breath -- Care Dimensions has the knowledge and experience to help you through this stage of illness. It's never too early to get help, so call us (888-283-1722).


2. Discuss options -- We will sit down with you to discuss the specifics of your situation and assess which services are right for you.


3. Create a plan of care -- We will work with you and your current physicians to develop a solid plan of care tailored to your individuals needs. Our goal is to provide you the support and care needed to live life as comfortably and fully as possible.


4. Get pain and symptoms under control -- Our teams are specially trained in hospice and palliative medicine, and are uniquely qualified to get your symptoms and pain under control quickly.


5. Let us come to you -- Whether your home is a private residence, nursing home, or other facility, we know how important it is for you to remain in familiar surroundings. Our professionals bring services to you wherever you call home in over 90 Eastern Massachusetts communities.


6. Simplify medical payments and paperwork -- Dealing with a serious illness is enough of a burden without having the stress of managing payments and multiple healthcare providers. Our services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance programs.


7. Get support for all your needs -- A physical illness affects more than the body. It impacts the emotional and spiritual aspects of life, as well. Our comprehensive staff includes doctors, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers specially trained to help you and your family with every aspect of your illness.


8. Take full advantage of our expertise and extensive services -- We offer a full continuum of care from pain and symptom management to advanced care planning, hospice care, complementary therapies, specialized care, support services, and comprehensive grief and bereavement services.


9. Call us anytime 24/7 -- Have questions and concerns between visits, during the night, or on weekends? With 24/7 help, it is comforting to know that a Care Dimensions nurse is always just a phone call away.


10. Gain peace of mind knowing you have a team of experts on your side -- For more than 35 years, Care Dimensions has helped seriously ill patients and their families in Massachusetts. Learn how our hospice and palliative care services can help you live each day to the fullest by calling us at 888-283-1722 or visiting CareDimensions.org.