For Patients

You Are Not Alone

Making decisions about care during a serious illness can feel overwhelming. Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard can help ensure you receive the support, comfort, and dignity you deserve — on your terms. Our team is here to walk alongside you and your family through this journey, offering medical care, emotional support, and guidance focused on improving quality of life.

What Is Hospice Care?

Hospice care focuses on comfort, quality of life, and support when an illness is no longer responding to curative treatment. We will be there for you, and for your family.  It does not mean giving up hope — it means defining new hopes for this time. Hope for comfort, connection, less pain, and more peace.

Hospice care is provided wherever you call home: a private residence, assisted living community, skilled nursing facility, or, if necessary, a hospital setting. The hospice interdisciplinary team works to ease symptoms, manage pain, and ensure your care aligns with your wishes, values, and goals.

What Is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is an extra layer of support for people with serious illness that works with your other clinicians to help ensure that you are getting the type of care that you want, focused on symptom management and comfort, good communication, and help coping with the stresses that come with illness.  The goal of palliative care is to help you live as well as possible with your illness.

If you are experiencing pain, anxiety, breathlessness, nausea, or other difficult symptoms, palliative care can help you feel better and regain a sense of control.

Who Is Eligible?

You may consider hospice or palliative care if you are:

• • Living with a serious or life-limiting illness
  • Experiencing pain, discomfort, or challenging symptoms
  • Tired of frequent hospitalizations or emergency visits
  • Feeling that treatments are no longer helping
  • Seeking comfort, dignity, and support at home

If you’re unsure whether it’s time — that’s okay. Many people tell us they wish they had called earlier. We’re here to answer questions without pressure.

Our Services:

Patients and families receive a full circle of care, tailored to personal needs and wishes:

• • Nurses skilled in symptom and medication management
  • Physicians overseeing  personalized care plans
  • Social workers offering counseling, resources, and practical support to you and your family
  • Spiritual care counselors who respect all faiths, traditions, and beliefs
  • Home health aides/CNAs assisting with bathing and personal care
  • Medications, medical supplies, and equipment delivered to your home
  • 24/7 access to a nurse for urgent needs or questions
  • Volunteer support for patient companionship and respite for caregivers
  • Grief and bereavement services for families before and after loss

What To Expect:

Your first visit typically is from a HPCMV nurse and/or social worker whose aim is to get to know you — not just your medical needs, but your goals, preferences, and what matters most to you. You will work with our team members, your own doctor, and family or other caregivers to determine whether palliative care or hospice is right for you at this time. Together, we build a plan that supports your physical comfort, emotional well-being, and spiritual peace.

Care visits are scheduled based on your needs and can increase as conditions change. We remain by your side, adapting your care with compassion and responsiveness.

Cost & Insurance:

Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, Mass Health, many private insurance plans, and veterans’ benefits. This coverage typically includes medications, nursing visits, doctor’s visits, medical equipment, supplies, and support services.

We believe everyone deserves compassionate care. If insurance or financial concerns are preventing you from calling, please reach out — we are here to help.

Your Rights, Your Voice:

You remain in control of your care and decisions:

• • You may continue seeing your own doctor
  • You may stop hospice at any time
  • Your privacy is always protected
  • Your cultural, spiritual, and personal beliefs are honored
  • Your goals guide every step of your care