The Hospice of the North Shore Greater Boston has acquired a 12-acre parcel of land located on the Waltham and Lincoln town line to build a 20-bed inpatient hospice facility, similar to the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.
The land is located at 1100 Winter St., Waltham, and 121-129 Winter St., Lincoln.
The Kaplan House, which opened in 2005, was the first licensed hospice in the state to provide inpatient care to adults and children
In the last eight years, there has been a tremendous growth in the need for inpatient hospice services. The Kaplan Family Hospice House served more than 500 patients and families in 2012 alone. Kaplan House is caring for more pediatric hospice patients, and there is no facility outside of a hospital that can provide the needed level of care for dying children and their families.
With the acquisition of Partners Hospice in 2011, the hospice’s territory and the number of patients they care for has grown significantly.
“We’re caring for more patients in Middlesex, Suffolk and Norfolk counties and oftentimes it is not convenient for them to travel to the Kaplan Family Hospice House,” said Diane Stringer, president of the Hospice. “Our patients, and our hospital partners, have been anxiously awaiting our development of an additional hospice facility in the Metrowest area to better serve their needs.”
In 2012, HNSGB cared for more than 900 patients who resided within 20 miles of the proposed site. The site includes three acres in Waltham and nine acres in Lincoln.
“It’s ideal for our purpose, because it is centrally located, close to Route 128 and easily accessible from the major cities and towns in our service area,” said Stringer. “It is also very serene and tranquil, as it is wooded, natural and offers views to the Cambridge Reservoir. Most importantly, it is more than large enough to accommodate the facility, and have a large natural buffer from the road and neighbors.”
In the coming months, the hospice will be working with Lincoln and Waltham and appropriate agencies to gain the permits and approvals to move the project forward.