Hospice Care of Nantucket is a hospital-based licensed and JCAHO accredited hospice. Thus far we have chosen not to apply for Medicare certification, so that we might offer broader flexibility in our services than Medicare would allow. However, all services, which are provided directly by Hospice to patients and their families, are free of charge, thanks to the generosity of the Nantucket Community and the work of Hospice Care of Nantucket Foundation, which provides funding for the program.

Hospice Care of Nantucket offers a broad range of services within the community. Like other hospices, we provide comprehensive physical, emotional, and spiritual care to persons with life threatening illness, and support to their families. However, unlike other hospices, services of Hospice Care of Nantucket are not limited to treatment of persons with terminal illness. In addition to these “traditional hospice services,” we also provide palliative & supportive care to persons with any stage of any illness, even when they are pursuing aggressive, curative treatment.

Following are the various services which we offer. In caring for patients in various settings, our hospice staff works “alongside of,” not “in place of” the general health care team. In this way, we all share ideas and skills, build stronger caregiving teams, and maintain consistency in patient care.

Home Care Hospice Program – For patients with life threatening illness who are living at home, comprehensive hospice care is provided by hospice staff, often in conjunction with Home Health Department staff, and support is provided to their families.

Nursing Home Program - Hospice staff works together with the staff of Our Island Home to meet the needs of nursing home patients who receive hospice care, and to support their families.

Inpatient Palliative Care Program - Hospice staff works with hospital staff to provide care to hospitalized patients who would benefit from our services, and to support their families.

Supportive Care Program - Hospice staff provides consultation, education, counseling, and follow-up care for persons with any stage of any illness. Care is provided in any setting – home, hospital, nursing home, or office. Examples include, but are not limited to: pain control & symptom management; coping with a new diagnosis; advance care planning (including Health Care Proxies & Living Wills); considering options for treatments; living with chronic illness; coping with a loved one’s illness; education/support for caregivers; explaining illness or death to children; Coping with Cancer Support Group.

Caregivers’ Connections Support Program - Hospice staff provides education, counseling, and support, in private and/or group sessions, for family caregivers of persons with chronic illness or disabilities. Volunteers are available to provide practical assistance, companionship, and respite breaks. A monthly support group meets on the second Thursday of every month.

Grief and Bereavement Support Services - Hospice staff provides education, counseling, and support for individuals or groups who are affected by grief.

Community education & outreach services - Public education, speakers, and consultations to schools, workplaces, and other organizations are provided. Hospice related books are available for loan through the Hospice Office, and others have been donated, through the Nancy Adam Hospice Education Fund, to the Nantucket Atheneum and the Saltmarsh Senior Center for further distribution.