We enhance your patients’ quality of life

Chronic pain is a widespread problem and remains the most common reason individuals seek healthcare. As the population ages, more people will need treatment for pain from back disorders, degenerative joint disease, rheumatological conditions, visceral diseases and life-threatening illnesses. To address this need, VNS Westchester has developed a unique pain management and palliative care program.  A multidisciplinary team of highly qualified professionals, led by a registered nurse certified in pain management, provides skilled and compassionate home-based care for those suffering from pain.

Palliative care is for patients whose illness is not responsive to curative treatment. Our focus is on the management of pain and other physiological symptoms, as well as psychosocial, social and spiritual problems. Our goal is to obtain the best possible quality of life for patients and their caregivers. Unlike hospice, where the focus is on end-of-life care, palliative care can help patients and their caregivers not only manage pain, but also manage other symptoms that emerge during the course of the disease – even during active therapy for the underlying illness.

Program services:

• Hospital or home-based evaluation by a registered nurse certified in pain management 
• Provision of expert pain and symptom management by a team of nurses specially trained in the care of patients with pain and palliative care
• Home health aides to assist with personal care
• Physical and occupational therapy evaluations and treatments
• Mental health nurses to assist with psychological support
• Social workers for psychosocial support and access to community resources
• On-going collaboration and communication with the physician and other disciplines involved in the plan of care
• Referrals to pastoral care and other complementary care services as needed

For more information on our Pain Management and Palliative Care Program, call 914-682-1480.