Palliative & Supportive Care Services

Time is precious when you’re receiving cancer treatment. Therapies and recovery can occupy months of your life, and if you’re anxious or uncomfortable, it can feel as if time is standing still. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Palliative and supportive care services at Trinity Health Of New England bring comfort and peace of mind. We coordinate services that promote whole-person healing, so you can live with a good quality of life.

Palliative and Supportive Care: Why Choose Trinity Health Of New England?

Our cancer team includes palliative care doctors. This medical specialty focuses on relieving the symptoms and stress that go along with serious conditions such as cancer. We listen carefully as you describe the cancer side effects and emotional challenges you are experiencing. We then coordinate with the rest of the cancer team, so you receive care that brings relief.

We take extra steps to help you receive timely and personalized supportive care, including:

• Speech therapy consultations before treatment: For head and neck cancers, some patients meet with speech therapists before surgery. We start arranging services that help you push past post-surgical challenges such as difficulty swallowing.
• Easy access to dietitians: Our dietitians see many patients during visits to the Cancer Center for radiation therapy or chemotherapy. We give personalized recommendations that help you avoid dehydration and unexpected weight loss.
• Assistance navigating your care journey: Palliative care doctors and nurse navigators are here for you to discuss your treatment plan and care goals. We ask you about your treatment preferences, so you receive services that align with your wishes.

Palliative and Supportive Care to Relieve Cancer Side Effects

Pain, abnormal swelling and a lack of appetite are just a few of the cancer side effects we treat.

Our offerings include:

• Lymphedema therapy: Therapists deliver services to prevent and treat abnormal, sometimes painful, fluid build-up (swelling) called lymphedema.
• Nutrition services: Dietitians help you maintain a healthy weight, even if it’s difficult to eat, so you can get the most out of treatment.
• Pain management: We help you get relief from cancer pain while avoiding strong medications (narcotics) whenever possible.
• Rehabilitation: Therapists who specialize in working with cancer patients help restore strength and relieve muscle stiffness. Find out more about cancer rehabilitation.
• Speech therapists: These specialists help you cope with and push past difficulties with speaking and swallowing.

Emotional, Financial and Spiritual Support Services

Palliative and supportive care services help ease your worries and guide you in planning for your future needs.

You may receive assistance from:

• Financial coordinators: If you are having difficulty paying for your care, our coordinators help you explore financial assistance options. Read more about billing and financial assistance.
• Social workers: We coordinate services to lessen the impact of cancer on your daily life. Services may include transportation to appointments and referrals to community resources.
• Spiritual (pastoral) care: We help you address questions about your beliefs, legacy and other issues regardless of your religion or life philosophy.
• Support groups: You meet with members of our team and fellow patients to help one another cope with the challenges of living with cancer.

Wellness Services and Classes

Our offerings include therapies and classes that help you regain your sense of wellness. Insurance may not cover all of these services.

Wellness services we offer include:

• Acupuncture: We insert thread-like needles into specific areas of your body to free the flow of energy called chi. Acupuncture provides drug-free pain and symptom relief while helping you relax.
• Art therapy: A therapist guides you in using creative techniques, such as drawing, painting and sculpting to express yourself and reflect on your emotions. You do not need to be an artist to benefit from art therapy.
• Energy therapies: Therapists unlock the flow of energy with their healing hands, helping you achieve better emotional, physical and spiritual health. Energy therapies we offer include Reiki and therapeutic touch.
• Mind and body techniques: Hypnosis, guided imagery and meditation help reduce anxiety, mood changes and ongoing pain.
• Music and sound therapy: This technique uses music and calming sounds to help you relax. You may listen to music, move to it, or sing. This therapy is helpful to people of all musical abilities.
• Therapeutic massage: Therapists apply gentle pressure with their hands to increase blood flow and relieve stiff muscles.

VITAS Healthcare Inpatient Hospice Unit and Home Care

Our hospice services help patients remain close to home and loved ones while receiving services that ease the physical and emotional burden of advanced cancer.

• Inpatient hospice services: The VITAS Healthcare Inpatient Hospice Unit at Saint Mary’s Hospital provides comfort care to patients nearing the end of life. A specialized team of providers delivers inpatient hospice services. This team includes:
• Palliative care physicians
• Nurses
• Hospice aides
• Social workers
• Chaplains
• Volunteers
• Bereavement support staff

To schedule a tour, call (203) 437-3111 or (203) 709-7700.

• Outpatient hospice support: VITAS also provides outpatient support for the emotional, spiritual and psychological challenges that come with advanced cancer. Patients may be eligible to receive:
• Up to five home visits per week from members of our hospice team.
• In-home care from our hospice staff for up to 24 hours

Contact Us

Services vary by cancer care location.