Cancer Care Programs
South Shore Hospital has a wide range of cancer care programs. For further information on the programs listed here, please contact us.
- Inpatient Cancer Care
- Nutrition Services
- Rehabilitation Services
- Pain Management Clinic
- South Shore Visiting Nurse Association
Inpatient Cancer Care
South Shore Hospital has a specialized, 30-bed inpatient oncology unit, staffed with registered and licensed practical nurses. The nursing team is expert in the care of patients who have active cancer-related issues, such as pain and symptom management and chemotherapy administration.
Nutrition Services
Oncology patients can be at risk for nutritional problems, due to their illnesses and the stresses related to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Complications can include malnutrition due to lack of appetite, changes in taste and smell perceptions, and damage to the gastrointestinal tract, either from the disease or its treatment. South Shore Hospital's nutrition department is experienced in improving cancer patients' nutritional status through the administration of dietary supplements, one-to-one dietician instruction, tube feedings, and dietary palliative care. Please call 781-624-8809 to make an appointment. A physician referral is required.
Rehabilitation Services
Physical, occupational and speech therapy are essential components of cancer care and treatment. South Shore Hospital's programs include:
- Range of motion and strengthening exercises
- Mobility and gait training
- Enhancing ability to manage activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, grooming, toileting)
- Provision of adaptive aides and equipment
- Energy conservation strategies
- Physical therapy
- Swallowing and speech therapy
- Patient and family education
Rehabilitation services typically begin during hospitalization and continue on an outpatient basis or in patients' homes through our South Shore Visiting Nurses.
Pain Management Clinic
South Shore Hospital's pain management clinic can offer relief if you're living with chronic pain due to cancer. A physician referral is required. Call 781-624-8352 for more information.
South Shore Visiting Nurse Association
South Shore Visiting Nurses (VNA), a program of South Shore Hospital, is expert in the at-home nursing and rehabilitative care of individuals with cancer. The VNA oncology program is managed by an oncology clinical nurse specialist, who collaborates with patients' physicians, other specialty nurses, social workers, physical therapists, nutritionists, and others.
Hospice of the South Shore, a program of South Shore Hospital, is a Medicare-certified program that provides palliative (comfort) and supporting health care to individuals with terminal illnesses. Hospice's services are provided in patients' homes, in extended care facilities (nursing homes), and at South Shore Hospital. Patients and families benefit from Hospice's nursing care, pain management, symptom control, social services, home health aides and homemakers, nutrition and diet counseling, volunteer support, respite care, and bereavement services.
Home and Health Resources, a program of South Shore Visiting Nurses, offers private duty skilled nursing and home care aides. Because Home and Health Resources is a private duty home care service, costs are generally not covered by health insurance. Several economical packages are available.
