Palliative Care

Palliative Care

“Palliative care is the science of taking care of people who can’t be cured, but are living with an illness that may become terminal. Hospice concerns itself with people who may die in six months, but palliative care doesn’t have a time frame.”

Patrick Clary, MD
Hospice Medical Director of
Rockingham Visiting Nurse
Association & Hospice

Dr.Clary is a Certified Palliative CarePhysician, one of only a handful in the state of New Hampshire.


Linda Hotchkiss ARNP, MSN, BC-PC
Clinical Operations Officer
Director, Advance Illness and Hospice Services
Rockingham Visiting Nurses Association & Hospice

“ The opportunity to give hope and specialized care to patients and families during this most vulnerable time is an honor”

Palliative Care focuses on treating the whole person, not the illness. A multidisciplinary team approach is utilized to treat the pain, symptoms and stress that may accompany serious illness. Care may encompass nutritional counseling, nursing, home health aides, pharmacists, spiritual care providers, physicians, social workers, physical therapists, and volunteers.

In addition to the Hospice Program, a specialized program of Rockingham Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice -the Bridge Program -emphasizes Palliative Care in addressing the many ways that serious illness affects patients and their families.