We’re dedicated to delivering the highest quality of home healthcare
Together, the home healthcare providers of Tufts Medicine Care at Home offer comprehensive medical and supportive services designed to maximize health, independence, and quality of life. Our professional staff has advanced clinical skills and, along with the use of state-of-the-art technology, can offer patients the most innovate home healthcare services available. Certified home health aides services are also offered, as necessary, to provide personal care assistance.
We ensure our patients achieve the best possible health
We are licensed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire
Approved provider by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance companies
Our team works closely with physicians and hospitals
A highly skilled team of registered and licensed practical nurses act as the patient’s care manager and provide medical oversight, treatment and support for a wide variety of medical conditions or injuries. Our nurses work closely with the patient’s physician to develop an individualized care plan for each patient. During regularly scheduled visits to the patient’s home, the nurse will provide medical care and teaching to help patients recuperate and coordinate any additional specialized or supportive services.
Advanced illness management program includes comprehensive medical interventions, teaching, monitoring and support for patients with chronic illnesses such as COPD, CHF, diabetes, cancer and other complex illnesses. Palliative care, a key component of the program, offers symptom management, emotional support and care coordination to improve function and quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Goals of care conversations are used to align the care provided to the needs and wishes of the patient.
Infusion therapy services are provided by expertly trained registered nurses and are designed to meet the needs of patients requiring home intravenous therapy including antibiotic therapy, central line care, chemotherapy, Hickman, port-a-cath treatment, hydration services, pain management medications, and total parenteral nutrition.
Maternal and child health program provides expert medical care designed to maximize the health and quality of life of mothers, infants, children, and families. Our nursing team includes registered nurses who have advanced certifications in pediatric hematology and oncology and are expert in the needs of children undergoing complex medical treatments. Maternal and Child Health nurses also have advanced training in lactation, nasogastric tube insertions, cardiac care, IV therapy, wound care, diabetes and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death.
Rehabilitation/orthopedic services are provided by registered therapists and are available to meet specific therapy needs of patients with orthopedic, neurologic, cardiac and other conditions to restore skills needed for daily living and improve quality of life. Services include (but are not limited to):
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Speech therapy
High technology therapies for improving upper body movement
Telehealth monitoring is a service available to assist patients who need regular monitoring of their vital signs and symptoms including blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen level and weight. Using specially-designed, easy-to-use, monitoring equipment, patients can check their vital signs and symptoms in the comfort of home and send that critical data to our specially-trained nurses for evaluation.
Telehealth monitoring is especially helpful to patients who:
Have heart failure, diabetes, chronic or prenatal hypertension or other cardiac diagnoses
Demonstrate unstable vital signs
Are at risk for hospitalization or re-hospitalization
Transitions of care services are available to patients who may need additional services and support after a recent hospitalization or treatment at a rehabilitation facility. Home Health VNA clinicians collaborate closely with the hospital or facility physicians and case managers, and with other community-based service providers, to ensure that patients have the services and/or support they need to return home and remain safe, in particular during the first 30 days after a hospitalization. The primary focus is on pain and/or symptom management, reconciling medications, securing support services and teaching self-management.
Wound and ostomy care is provided by a team of Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurses (CWOCN) and Physical Therapy Wound Care Specialists who collaborate with physicians and local wound clinics to monitor and promote healing of a variety of wounds such as pressure ulcers and other complex wounds. The CWOCNs also care for and provide teaching to patients with a new ostomy, including colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy, promoting healing and ensuring each patient has the most effective appliance for their individual needs.
Arrange for care
At the start of home care services, a registered nurse will come to the home to evaluate the patient’s medical care needs. The nurse will then design a treatment plan based on the evaluation and medical orders from the patient’s physician.
At just 49 years old, Daniel “Dan” Riley was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Although the diagnosis forced Dan to leave his job in the interior design field, Dan functioned […]
Committed and honored to care Ron and Penelope (Penny) Verow laugh often as they share stories of the life they’ve enjoyed together and spoken glowingly of their two daughters and […]
At age 60, David Townsend waited patiently, hopeful that a heart transplant would give him more time – quality time to share with his wife, his children, and the grandchildren […]
How do I make arrangements to have a nurse come to my home?
All requests for services are processed in the Intake Department. The Intake Department can be reached at 800-333-4799 or 978-552-4444, or you can send a referral via fax using our Express Referral Form.
Are all VNA’s the same?
No. There are many different hospice and visiting nurse agencies. Tufts Medicine Care at Home is one of the largest and most respected not-for-profit agencies in the region. We offer full continuum of care for patients of all ages and every stage of illness or injury.
Who pays for the visiting nurse to come to my home?
The cost of care provided Tufts Medicine Care at Home is typically covered by health insurance – including most private insurances, Medicare and Medicaid, and Senior HMO’s. Patients receiving home care services must meet certain requirements including:
Services must be ordered by the patient’s physician
The patient must be “homebound” or unable to leave home without great effort
The patient’s condition requires skilled care by a nurse or therapist
For more information, or to determine if you or a family member qualifies for visiting nurse services, contact the Referral Department at 800-333-4799 or 978-552-4444.
What cities and towns do you cover?
Tufts Medicine Care at Home provides care in more than 110 cities and towns in the Merrimack Valley, Northeastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Click here for a list of cities and towns
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[post_content] => At just 49 years old, Daniel “Dan” Riley was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Although the diagnosis forced Dan to leave his job in the interior design field, Dan functioned well at home. He even volunteered to help others coping with serious illness, often visiting nursing homes or driving other patients to medical appointments. “Dan has always been upbeat and cheerful,” said his wife Janet. “He’s a jokester, with a positive attitude about everything. However, a few years after the initial diagnosis, the tumor returned, and he was told that nothing more could be done.”
Just after New Years’, as Dan became increasingly weak and unsteady, he knew it was time to transition to High Pointe House, the hospice and palliative care residence of Merrimack Valley Hospice. At less than five feet tall and quite petite, Janet couldn’t lift or support his six-foot frame, and both Janet and Dan could be injured if he fell. And, Dan was determined to keep his dignity until the end. Throughout his illness, Dan and Janet, a deeply spiritual couple, conversed openly and honestly about end of life, and they were resolute in their desire to spend their last days together. So, when Dan was admitted to High Pointe House, Janet moved right in with him. Throughout his stay at the House, Janet cherished the time they shared together. “Every moment here has been a gift,” said Janet. “I’m so thankful for Dan’s wonderful care and for the kindness and support of the entire staff.”
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Committed and honored to care
Ron and Penelope (Penny) Verow laugh often as they share stories of the life they’ve enjoyed together and spoken glowingly of their two daughters and beautiful granddaughters. The retirement they had planned included relaxing in their beautiful home in Maine, fishing in the river that runs through the property and traveling to visit friends and family. But, all that changed with Penny’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis. As the disease progressed and Penny’s care became too difficult for Ron to manage alone, the dreams of enjoying leisurely days in Maine and taking trips to see family and friends were gone. They decided to move to Massachusetts, bringing them closer to family and to the care and treatment Penny needed.
Today, Penny receives personal care and support services five days a week, 52 weeks a year, including bathing, dressing, meal preparation, feeding, and light housekeeping. “The home health aides are kind, caring and helpful. They give Ron a break from caregiving and time for grocery shopping or errands. And, they’re a wonderful company for me. I get to enjoy a few hours of girl talk.”
“Caring for Penny is an honor,” said home health aide, Pam Fournier. “She wants to stay in her own home as long as possible and I’m committed to helping her do so.”
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[post_content] => At age 60, David Townsend waited patiently, hopeful that a heart transplant would give him more time – quality time to share with his wife, his children, and the grandchildren who adore him. He spent several years in and out of Boston hospitals, sometimes for months at a time, due to the complications of heart disease and diabetes – each time beating the odds. David experienced at least one major episode of acute heart failure, but his neighbor, a Lowell firefighter, would not give up on him, immediately administering CPR and continuing until paramedics had arrived.
With the support of Home Health VNA, David was able to stay at home in the familiar surroundings of his neighborhood and the company of family and friends. His goal was to get strong enough so that, if a heart became available, he could endure the surgery, recuperate and return to the comfort of his own home soon after the transplant. Helping him achieve his goals every step of the way was a Hearts at Home clinical team from Home Health VNA. Hearts at Home is designed to provide patients with complex heart conditions, such as heart failure, with intense care oversight and monitoring. With the support of Hearts at Home, David managed a complicated and extensive prescription regimen comprised of 41 daily medications in addition to receiving care from various disciplines, including physical and occupational therapy, nursing and social work. He utilized telehealth monitoring to track his vital signs several times each day and communicate regularly with his health coach for medical and emotional support. With Hearts at Home, David was surrounded by a highly skilled care team that applied exceptional clinical judgment to identify and respond to any medical concern that required intervention from his physician or an immediate nursing visit. “Everyone from your agency is on the spot, working hard and keeping a close eye on all my complex symptoms,” said David. “They truly care about me, checking on me, sometimes multiple times a day. Because of this terrific team, I’m getting stronger every day.”
Over time, David regained his strength and was well prepared when he received the much-anticipated news that a suitable heart was available. He underwent a successful transplant operation and was eventually able to return home to recuperate and undergo therapy to help keep his new heart strong. With the expert care and support of Home Health VNA nurses and physical therapists, David has fully recovered and is, once again, able to enjoy those very special times with the family and friends he cherishes.
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