ALERT: Learn more about COVID-19 Resources

Home-Based Care for Serious Illness

When confronted with a serious illness, nothing supports your health and healing more than being in a familiar environment. That’s why Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home is committed to addressing the complex needs and care for you or your loved one in the most comfortable and convenient setting possible.

With Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home, you choose exceptional palliative care delivered with compassion and dignity.

About Our Palliative Care Program

Our home-based palliative care program is for patients with a serious or life-limiting illness who seek support for symptoms and distress related to that illness.

From diagnosis through treatment, we provide a consultative model of services that are personalized and coordinated by our experienced providers, including nurse practitioners with specialized knowledge of pain and symptom management, as well as qualified professionals for emotional and spiritual support.

Our services also include:

  • Collaboration and coordination with other palliative care team members, your physician and your family members
  • Coordination and collaboration with social workers, chaplains or specialists from other disciplines based on your individual needs
  • Family and caregiver support
  • Advanced care planning to help determine your goals of care and plan how to meet them
  • Access to additional resources

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative Care is a specialized medical approach to care for people with a serious or life-limiting illness. The aim is to improve quality of life by offering symptom relief and emotional support. Care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses and other specialists working together. Palliative care is based on the needs of the patient and their loved ones and not on their prognosis. Palliative care can be provided together with curative treatment.

What to Expect from Palliative Care

Palliative care focuses on helping you carry out your daily life by helping you manage medical treatments and relieve symptoms such as pain, fatigue and nausea that are associated with conditions such as:

  • Cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Progressive lung disease (COPD, Pulmonary Fibrosis)
  • Advanced kidney or liver disease
  • Neurological disorders, such as ALS and Parkinson’s disease

Palliative Care or Hospice Care

Palliative care focuses on relieving pain and needs associated with a disease or condition regardless of whether it can be cured. Unlike hospice care, palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious or life-limiting illness. Life expectancy is not a factor in determining eligibility.

Hospice care is also aimed at managing symptoms and improving the quality of life for individuals with a terminal illness. It is usually advised when an illness no longer responds to cure-focused treatment or when life expectancy is anticipated to be six months or less.

Deciding on Palliative Care

Speak with your care provider about starting palliative care. For more information about Beth Israel Lahey Health At Home Palliative Care, please contact us at 781-756-7780 or complete our online form.

Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurances cover palliative care costs.