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The Vital Role of Hospice

Beacon Hospice strives to provide the best end-of-life care in New England.  Our ability to partner with physicians, nursing homes, and insurance companies is vital to both patients and health care institutions.  Hospice can also play an important role in reducing healthcare costs and relieving mounting financial pressure on hospitals and nursing homes.

Humane and compassionate healthcare

 

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Several studies indicate that most patients and families who are living with life-threatening illness can expect to experience multiple physical symptoms and psychological, social, spiritual, and practical issues, many of which may be concurrent.  Most of these problems add to a patient's and family's sense of suffering and reduce their quality of life.

The goal of hospice care isn't just to reduce pain.  The World Health Organization defines palliative care as "the active total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment.  Control the pain, of other symptoms, and of psychological, social, and spiritual problems is paramount.  The goal of palliative care is the achievement of the best possible quality of life for the patients and their families."

Beacon's approach to hospice care creates a patient and family environment of hope, comfort, and dignity.  We also believe that hospice is about caring for the whole person -- not just physically -- but emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

Helping to reduce healthcare costs.

The trend in the United States over the past fifty years has been to instutionalize terminally ill patients.  In 1949, 50 percent of deaths in America occurred in hospitals or nursing homes.  Since 1980, it has remained at around 74 percent.

The discord between our desire to die at home and our actual end-of-life experience is not only contradictory, but it's also expensive.  A 1995 study by the GBMC Hospice of Baltimore found that those who enrolled in hospice during the last month of life cose Medicare $2,884 less than nonusers.

Hospice generally costs less than care in institutional settings because the patient is charged only for the services that he or she connot be provided with at home.  In 1997, daily hospital charges were estimated at $2,121, while skilled nursing facilities charges $454 per day.  Hospice care cost approximately $108 per day of care.

Beacon Hospice provides the best end-of-life care in New England through an interdisciplinary team that supports patients and families.  The team is made up of physicians, nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, bereavement experts, and volunteers.  We are proud to employ both nurse practicioners as well as board-certified palliative-care physicians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make others happy and joyful. Your happiness will multiply a thousand fold.
--- Swami Sivananda

 

New Events

  • AD/Caregiver Summer Support Group
    Walden Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
    785 Main Street
    Concord, MA 01742
    Tuesday, July 22 and August 26, 2008
    5:30-7:30 PM


  • Alzheimer/Dementia Family Information Series
    Alzheimer/Dementia Family Information Series will be presented by Beacon Hospice, Inc. in conjunction with Haverhill Crossings on Wednesday, July 9, July 23, August 6 and August 20 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Read more...

  • A Circle of Hope Bereavement Support Group
    A Circle of Hope Bereavement Support Group for those who are facing difficult changes after the loss of a loved one will meet at the Amesbury Council on Aging, 9 School Street, Amesbury, MA. Read more...

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    Current Opportunities:

  • Receptionist
    This position is accountable for general office clerical duties.

  • External Educator
    Responsible for providing ongoing end-of-life educational opportunities within the community.

  • Central Intake Coordinator LPN
    Responsible for processing patient referrals to Beacon Hospice.



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