Care Dimensions

10/10/2026

Today, we recognize World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, organized by the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance, and highlight this year’s theme, “Pain Management: An Essential Part of Palliative Care.”

Pain and symptom management are at the heart of both hospice and palliative care. When someone is living with a serious illness, effectively managing pain, shortness of breath, nausea, anxiety, and other difficult symptoms can have a profound impact on comfort and quality of life.

Hospice and palliative care teams bring specialized expertise in managing these complex symptoms. That expertise is one of the many reasons these services play such an important role in helping patients live as comfortably and fully as possible.

10/09/2026

The first Nor’easter of the season may have forced us to cancel our 39th Annual Walk for Hospice, but it didn’t stop our Care Dimensions team from finding a way to keep the Walk spirit alive!

This Tuesday, employees and volunteers came together at our Danvers and Waltham offices for their own mini-Walk for Hospice celebrations. It was a fun opportunity to get outside and enjoy time with each other.

We’re already looking forward to celebrating together at the 40th Annual Walk for Hospice next year.

Have photos of your team in action? Share them with us and help us showcase the incredible spirit of our community!

10/08/2026

Every day, Care Dimensions helps patients and families focus more on what matters most: comfort, connection, and quality of life.

This DAF Day, consider directing a grant from your donor-advised fund (DAF) to support compassionate care throughout our community.

A recommendation takes just minutes. The impact lasts far longer.

10/07/2026

Last week, we shared Leo’s story and how hospice care has helped him remain at home, where he has lived for nearly six decades, surrounded by the people and things that matter most to him.

But Leo’s hospice story continues, and it shows just how much hospice can bring to someone’s life.

Hospice is so much more than medical care.

For Leo, it has meant a Care Dimensions volunteer spending time with him making paper airplanes, including Spitfire replicas that bring back memories of his time serving in the Army during the Korean War, and listening to stories about his life.

And during one recent visit, Leo played that harmonica, with a family member’s dog, Elroy, joining in and howling along to the music.

These may seem like small moments, but they are part of something much bigger.

Our volunteers, music therapists and hospice team members get to know the people we care for, what they enjoy, what matters to them and what can make a day a little brighter.

As Leo’s journey with hospice continues, so do the moments of connection, laughter and joy.

Because hospice isn’t just about adding care to someone’s life. It’s about adding life to their days.

Read Leo’s story at: bit.ly/LeoPatientStory

10/06/2026

Mary Crowe and Lyn Skarmeas hit it out of the park at the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association (Mass-ALA) Conference at Polar Park in Worcester! ⚾

Their presentation, “Bringing Primary Care to Residents Where They Live: Reducing Hospitalizations, Enhancing Satisfaction, and Supporting Staff,” explored how bringing primary care directly to older adults where they live can improve access to care, identify changes in condition earlier, strengthen communication and care coordination, and help reduce avoidable hospitalizations.

Mary and Lyn also shared how strong partnerships between primary care providers and assisted living communities can better support residents, families and staff — while helping residents remain in the place they call home as their healthcare needs change.

Thank you to Mass-ALA for the opportunity to be part of this year’s conference and to everyone who joined us for the presentation. We enjoyed the conversation, and couldn’t resist a photo with the perfect backdrop!

10/05/2026

Primary Care Shouldn’t Become Harder to Access When You Need It Most – a message from Care Dimensions President & CEO, Stephanie Patel, MD, MBA, FAAHPM, HMDC:

For older adults and people living with multiple chronic conditions, a medical appointment can require transportation, help from a family member or caregiver, and significant effort for a relatively short visit.

Too often, accessing routine medical care becomes more difficult at exactly the time it is needed most.

By 2036, the number of Americans age 65 and older is projected to increase by more than 34%, while the population age 75 and older is expected to grow by nearly 55%. At the same time, the U.S. is projected to face a shortage of 20,200 to 40,400 primary care physicians.

So, is the traditional model of primary care keeping pace with an aging population?

During National Primary Care Week, it is an opportunity to recognize the clinicians providing this essential care and think differently about how we make primary care accessible.

Home-based primary care is an important part of that solution.

Through Care Dimensions’ HomeMD program, primary care is brought directly to patients where they live. Our nurse practitioners work closely with physicians to provide comprehensive care to patients who may otherwise have difficulty accessing it.

Seeing patients in their own environment gives clinicians a different perspective. We can better understand how someone is managing day to day, identify challenges that may not be apparent during an office visit, review medications, involve caregivers and recognize factors affecting a patient's health.

It also provides continuity, helping clinicians manage chronic conditions, recognize changes earlier, coordinate with other providers and help patients and families understand their options.

As a physician, I believe some of the most valuable care begins with understanding the person in front of us—not simply the diagnoses in their medical record. What matters to them? What is becoming more difficult? What support does the caregiver need? What can we do to help this person remain safe where they want to be?

Meeting the needs of an aging population will require us to rethink not only how we provide primary care, but where we provide it. Home-based primary care can help expand access while allowing older adults to receive consistent, comprehensive care where they live.

Primary care is often described as the front door to our healthcare system. But for a growing number of older adults, getting through that door can be one of the greatest barriers.

Maybe it is time we bring the door to them.

During National Primary Care Week, I am grateful for the primary care professionals who build lasting relationships and find new ways to make care accessible.

09/29/2026

Members of our Care Dimensions team recently packaged snack bags for My Brother's Table, helping prepare snack bags for people they serve throughout the North Shore.

Care Dimensions and My Brother’s Table share a commitment to supporting people in the communities we serve, and we’re proud to contribute to their important work.

Through our Employee Volunteer Program, Care Dimensions employees receive up to four hours of paid time each year to volunteer with local organizations and causes that are meaningful to them.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to support My Brother’s Table and look forward to joining their team again at their Lynn location this week for another volunteer opportunity.

09/28/2026

At 96, after a hospitalization and rehab stay, Leo wanted to be home. His daughter, Donna, Leo’s primary caregiver, wanted that for him, too.

With support from Care Dimensions, they’ve been able to make that possible.

For more than a year, Leo has received hospice care at home, where he has lived for nearly six decades. His Care Dimensions team includes nurse Patrick (pictured right) and certified nursing assistant Cecilia (pictured left), who visit regularly, with support available around the clock when questions or needs arise.

For Donna, that support has made an immeasurable difference.

“Without Care Dimensions, I’d be too exhausted. I don’t know how long I could have done it by myself every day.”

Today, Leo remains at home, surrounded by family, neighbors, memories, and the things that make home feel like home.

“My father can stay home, and that’s what we want for him.”

Hospice is about more than the final days of life. It’s about helping people live each day with comfort, dignity and the best possible quality of life, while giving families the care, guidance and support they need along the way.

Read Leo’s story, including his time in the Army, his 67-year marriage to his late wife, Joan, and more: bit.ly/LeoPatientStory

For Leo, hospice has brought more than clinical care. It has brought companionship, music, laughter, and some memorable moments.

Stay tuned for more of Leo’s story next week, including how a Care Dimensions volunteer and music therapist are helping bring even more joy to his days.

09/28/2026

One of our favorite parts of Walk Day is seeing the incredible support from the student clubs and teams at St. John's Prep that come out each year.

St. John's Prep Theater Arts, we were so saddened that we couldn’t gather with you this year, but seeing this post and knowing you still came together for your annual Drama Guild photo made our day.

Thank you to the St. John's Prep community for your continued support of Care Dimensions and the families we serve. We look forward to seeing you all next year!

Unfortunately, this year’s Walk for Hospice was canceled, but we still wanted to come together and take our annual Drama Guild group photo!

Even though we couldn’t walk this year, you can still support Care Dimensions and the incredible work they do by donating through the link in our bio. Thank you to everyone who continues to support this special tradition! 💙

09/25/2026

The 2026 Walk for Hospice is cancelled, but a nor’easter can’t stop the incredible support behind it.

Due to the impending weather and safety risks associated with hosting an outdoor event, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Walk for Hospice.

We know how much the Walk means to our walkers, teams, and families, and we are deeply disappointed that we won’t be able to gather together this year. Hear from Care Dimensions Chief Development Officer Heather Johnston and Walk for Hospice host and WCVB Meteorologist A.J. Burnett about the weather forecast and the decision to cancel.

More than 80 teams registered, more than 750 walkers planned to join us, and together we have raised 87% of our fundraising goal.

The event may be cancelled, but the Walk continues.

When it is safe to do so, we encourage you to still Walk for Hospice in honor or memory of someone special. Walk on your own or with your team, wear your Walk shirt, and share your photos and videos with us!

Fundraising continues, too. Fundraising pages will remain open as we work toward our goal and continue raising critical funds to support Care Dimensions patients and families.

Visit CareDimensions.org/Walk to make a gift today.

Torrential rain and high winds may have changed our plans, but they won’t change the incredible support of our Walk for Hospice community. Thank you for standing with Care Dimensions and helping us continue to be there for patients and families.