The Diocesan Health Facilities’ pain management program was instituted to deliver optimum relief and elimination of acute or chronic pain for all residents, regardless of age, illness, or mental health status. A comprehensive pain assessment begins upon the resident’s admission and continues throughout the duration of their stay. Medically advanced assessment tools allow us to provide comfort and care to cognitively impaired residents.
Through specialized training and continuing education, the pain management staff cares for the most complex needs of our residents. All nurses are educated in the use of intravenous drug therapies to administer pain-relieving medications as prescribed by physicians. Our holistic approach to pain relief encompasses non-drug techniques and proven therapies, including therapeutic touch, relaxation, music, meditation, nerve stimulation, and physical therapy.

• Pain Management at the 5 Facilities throughout Southeastern
• Massachusetts
• Pain Evaluation
• Close Monitoring to Maintain Optimum Relief
• Holistic Approach for Emotional, Physical + Spiritual Needs
• Maximum Level of Independent Living Based on Functional Status

Catholic Memorial Home and Sacred Heart Home are among the few facilities in Massachusetts with dedicated Alzheimer’s units. They understand the unique challenges facing stricken individuals and their families; respect for each resident’s individuality, dignity, and comfort define the specialized care we provide within these facilities.
Specially trained staff, therapeutic living environments, and ongoing pastoral care combine to promote the best quality of life for our residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory loss and dementia. Within this safe and secure setting, we nurture by emphasizing individual strengths, providing programming to help preserve cognition skills, encouraging positive activities, and fostering emotional and spiritual well-being. In turn, this engenders a sense of value and purpose for the residents we serve and provides comfort to their families.

• Safe and Secure Dedicated Alzheimer’s Units
• Specially Trained Staff
• Therapeutic Activities
• Ongoing Pastoral Care
• Support Groups for Families

Our palliative care program, offered at each of the Diocesan Health Facilities skilled nursing centers, provides terminally ill residents with specialized treatment, including appropriate and aggressive pain management, and compassionate support. End-of-life care is coordinated by a palliative care team, which may comprise the resident’s physician, nurse, and pastoral care. Special Care Rooms at each of our facilities allow residents and family members to experience a private room with accommodations and conveniences that provide medical services in a serene setting.
The resident and their family members receive guidance concerning important decisions such as the need for hospitalization. Our affiliations with several hospice agencies facilitate coordination, allowing us to support residents and family members by maximizing time together, managing symptoms, and assuring peace and dignity at the end of life. Upon the resident’s death, the pastoral care director or social service staff provides and coordinates bereavement care for the family.

• Palliative Care & Hospice at the 5 Facilities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.
• Promotion of optimal quality of life.
• Appropriate and aggressive pain management.
• Psychosocial and spiritual concerns regarding end-of-life issues.
• Support and education.
• Private Special Care Rooms to accommodate residents and family members.