Cardiac Hospice Care Program

Heart to Heart

Living with a chronic heart condition can make every day a challenge that can lead to crisis situations, hospitalizations and unwanted care. Since 2012, Care Dimensions has offered a specialized supportive program that helps people with advanced cardiac disease better manage their symptoms to improve quality of life and keep them comfortable at home. Working with your cardiologist and healthcare team, our hospice professionals help patients and caregivers deal with the effects of advanced heart disease after curative treatment is no longer effective. We help patients find relief from:

Our goal is to reduce crisis situations and visits to the hospital so patients with advanced heart disease can look forward to each day, without pain, worry or stress. We provide 24/7 support and with patient and caregiver education—in collaboration with the American Heart Association and the National Partnership for Hospice Innovation—we teach patients and families to better control the symptoms of heart disease.

Testimonial

“When my Dad started to develop signs of pneumonia, the cardiac team picked up on it so quickly he was treated at home. Without Care Dimensions, he would have been in the hospital for a week.”

 

—Gloria Cole, daughter of a Care Dimensions cardiac program patient

Patient and Family Guides

Download your free copy of the Advanced Cardiac Care Program booklet or call 978-750-9370 to request a print copy.

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AHA Certification

First Hospice in US to Achieve Heart Failure Certification from the American Heart Association

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Who is Eligible?

Hospice-eligible patients with advanced cardiac disease can enroll in the program if they exhibit any two of the following:

• Symptomatic despite optimal treatment with diuretics and vasodilators
• Recurrent congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association Class IV, ejection fraction <20%)
• Supporting factors of:
  • Arrhythmias resistant to treatment
  • History of cardiac arrest or resuscitation
  • History of unexplained syncope
  • Cardiogenic embolic disease (cerebrovascular accident, CVA)

Multidimensional Care

Our cardiac program provides specialized hospice care for patients with advanced cardiac disease. Services and benefits include:

• Pain and symptom management to reduce hospital visits
• Kaplan Family Hospice House or the Care Dimensions Hospice House for respite care or acute symptom management to avoid hospitalization
• Medication and equipment management
• 24/7 medical, emotional and spiritual support
• Symptom management procedures to guide patients and caregivers to better control symptoms at home
• Patient and caregiver education
• Complementary therapies to provide stress relief and improve quality of life
• Grief support

Our Cardiac Team

Care Dimensions helps patients and caregivers communicate needs, navigate the healthcare system and plan for the future. Our interdisciplinary team brings together the skills and experience of:

• Board certified physician specializing in hospice care coordinates care with primary physician and specialists
• Specially trained nurse manages symptoms and pain and ensures all needs are met
• Hospice aide assists with daily care and housekeeping
• Social worker helps patients and families cope with emotional and practical issues
• Chaplain offers non-denominational spiritual support
• Complementary therapist relieves stress through music, art, massage and more
• Trained volunteer provides companionship and help with errands
• Bereavement counselor helps families prepare for death and cope with grief