Whittier Skilled Nursing Facilities
Port Healthcare Center
Individualized healthcare and family values
Opening the doorways to functional and fulfilling lifestyles
Newburyport’s premier skilled nursing center
With construction on our multi-million dollar new building completed in late 2017, Port Healthcare Center is a comfortable, state-of-the-art facility for long-term residents and short-term physical rehabilitation patients.
Our new facility offers:
• 72,000 square feet of luxurious hotel-like accommodations
• Home-like comfort & qualities
• Private & semi-private rooms with private baths and scenic views
• Library, music room & private dining rooms available
• Expansive physical therapy space
• Cutting-edge technology focused on resident wellness
Port Healthcare Center is a special place where virtually every healthcare need and desire is met. The atmosphere at Port Healthcare Center is warm and family like. Port is a place that is easy to call “home.”
The professionals at Port are dedicated to providing high quality long-term nursing and subacute care. It is our goal to open the doorways to a functional and fulfilling lifestyle for each and every one of our residents.
The facility is situated on lovely grounds in Newburyport, Massachusetts and offers elegant dining, social rooms and finely decorated living accommodations. In addition, the nursing and therapeutic services are second to none. Programs are comprehensive, offering residents the most modern, innovative therapies available.
Our Staff
Our professionals work 24-hours a day to provide the highest quality care. The staff represents a wide range of specialties, including physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and nutritionists. Together they create a restorative program suited to individual needs and then work to maximize the potential of their patients each day of their stay.
Residents may choose to have their personal physician provide their care. However, if that is not possible, for whatever reason, our facility staff will assist in selecting a physician that meets the approval of the resident and their families.
A resident’s physician, in conjunction with our interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, will develop an individual program of restorative care for each resident. It is our goal to provide all of our residents with an active and fulfilling lifestyle.
We have built our reputation on our quality nursing, medical and therapeutic team. The care and services we provide not only meet but surpass state and federal guidelines.
Where your family becomes part of our family.
Admission Criteria
• Persons with a significant change in functional status resulting from a medical problem or problems.
• Persons who are medically stable and able to participate in rehabilitation activity.
We accept admission from all healthcare facilities
• Emergency Rooms
• Physicians Office
• Acute Care Hospitals
• Home
Available Services
• Wound Management
• Respiratory Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Language Therapy
• Medication Monitoring
• Patient Teaching
• Discharge Planning
• Nutrition Counseling
• Podiatry Services
• Dental Services
• Optometry Services
Rehabilitation Program
All rehabilitation programs are individually tailored to ensure success. We strive for healthy outcomes. That means using every possible form of effective therapy to accelerate and maximize every resident’s rehabilitation potential.
Rehabilitation programs range from intensive one-on-one therapy sessions to group sessions. This includes a variety of support groups which allow residents the opportunity to learn more about their condition, share experiences with others, discuss concerns and build lasting friendships.
Intravenous and Central Line Program
Activities
Residents are always busy, if they choose to be. A representative from the activities department greets each resident at the time of admission to discuss personal interests and hobbies. While at the facility, patients can be involved in their favorite pastimes, and meet others with similar interests.
Arts and crafts, physical fitness programs and discussion groups are all coordinated through the activities department. There are also wine and cheese parties, ice cream socials and cookouts. Outings away from the facility are also scheduled.
How to Make a Referral
Referrals can be made by contacting Port Healthcare Center directly. Please refer to the list below for insurances accepted. If you want to confirm insurance information on Port Healthcare Center, please call the facility directly at (978) 462-7373.
Medicare and Insurances Accepted
We accept most Medicare, Medicaid, workers compensation and insurance plans, including a wide range of major HMO’s and PPO’s, including, but not limited to:
• Medicare
• Workers Compensation
• AETNA/US Healthcare
• Anthem BC
• Beech Street
• Blue Cross/Blue Shield of MA
• CIGNA/Healthsource MA/NH
• Commonwealth Care
• Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
• Neighborhood Health Plan
• Tufts Associated Health Plan (out of contract only)
• Unicare (GIC Indemnity)
• United Healthcare
Religious Services & Support Groups
We recognize that the spiritual needs of our residents are very important. Religious services are held on-site and clergy of different faiths visit regularly.
Support meetings are available for family members of residents. These group discussions and activities allow families to share thoughts and feelings and learn from others who have loved ones in similar situations.
Patient support groups are also held regularly. Here residents can learn more about their disability, discuss concerns, share experiences and more
Patient Testimonials
Such a caring environment with such an impeccably high standard of care, delivered with such warmth
Port Healthcare Center Patient TestimonialThank You! I can’t thank you enough for the way in which you cared for my friend Carl C. for the last four years. It was so important to me that Carl was able to spend his last years in such a caring environment with such an...
Thanks for everything you did to make her last days comfortable & peaceful
Port Healthcare Center Patient TestimonialThank You! Dear Wonderful Port Staff: A very small but hopefully enjoyable thank you for all you did to care for our dear friend Joyce B. during her stay and everything you did to make her last days comfortable &...
Her doctor treats her with incredible compassion, gentleness, and kindness and allows her the dignity she deserves
Port Healthcare Center Patient TestimonialThank You! Dear Ms. Grasso, I just wanted to take a minute to commend you and your staff. My mother, Gilberte H., has been in and out of Port Rehab since last November. It does help when I am there and witness the care and...
News + Updates
Another Whittier best! Port Healthcare Center has been recognized as a “Best Nursing Home” by U.S. News & World Report 2018-19
Another Whittier best!Port Healthcare Center has been recognized as a“Best Nursing Home” by U.S. News & World Report 2018-19 At Port Healthcare Center, our goal has always been to make you feel comfortable with the care we provide to your loved ones. Our new...
Whittier Health Network’s Response to COVID-19
UPDATED 04.18.2021 PLEASE NOTE - FOR NOTIFICATIONS OF COVID-19 CONDITIONS INSIDE A SPECIFIC WHITTIER FACILITY AND FOR VISITATION GUIDELINES AT THAT FACILITY, PLEASE SELECT THAT FACILITY’S PAGE FROM THE NAVIGATIONAL MENU IN THE BLUE BAR AT THE TOP OF OUR WEBSITE OR...
Whittier Health Network’s Visitation Policy
If you need more information, please ask your Whittier facility-specific representative. As the situation changes, we may take additional precautionary measures. Whittier Health Network appreciates your patience and support; we are taking these steps to protect all...
Port Healthcare Center
113 Low Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
Phone: (978) 462-7373
Fax: (978) 462-6510
123-Bed Skilled Nursing Center
Joint Commission Accredited,
Medicare Certified
Directions
Directions to Port Healthcare Center
From New Hampshire: Take Route 95 South. From 95 South take Exit 57 (Route 113). At the bottom of the ramp go left. Once on Route 113, take your second right, this is Low Street. Go approximately two miles and Port Healthcare will be on your right at the corner of Low and Hale Streets.
From Boston or Danvers Area: Route 95 North take Exit 57 (Route 113). At the bottom of the ramp go right. Once on Route 113 take your first right, this is Low Street. Go approximately two miles and Port Healthcare will be on your right at the corner of Low and Hale Streets.
From Lawrence or Lowell Area: Route 495 North take Exit 55 (Route 110). Once on Route 110, get on Route 95 South. From 95 South, take Exit 57 (Route 113). At the bottom of the ramp go left. Once on Route 113, take your second right, this is Low Street. Go approximately two miles and Port Healthcare will be on your right at the corner of Low and Hale Streets.
Contact Us

We love to hear from our community and are happy to assist in your healthcare needs.
This form is not for medical questions.
If at any time you have urgent medical questions, please contact your primary physician, call 911 or go to your local emergency room. We cannot diagnose or treat by e-mail. Providing personal health information through this web site is not secure over the Internet so please do not share personal information. If you wish to receive care from our team, please contact your primary care physician for a referral.
NOTIFICATIONS OF COVID-19 CONDITIONS INSIDE PORT HEALTHCARE CENTER
CURRENT STATUS: INDOOR & OUTDOOR VISITATION IS ALLOWED
All COVID negative, COVID recovered, and new admissions with no known or suspected COVID exposure may have prearranged indoor or outdoor visits. The location of these visits will be determined by the facility, subject to the safety and health of the residents. Each visit may last up to 45 minutes. For indoor visits, visitors must enter through the main entrance to be screened. Upon successful completion of the screening, visitors must proceed directly to the main dining room for their visitation. At the conclusion of the visitation, visitors must promptly exit through side entrance of the main dining room. For outdoor visits, visitors must enter through the main entrance of the building to be screened. Upon successful completion of the screening, all visitors must exit through the main doors to the porch area located at the front of the building. ALL VISITORS MUST BRING AND WEAR MASKS DURING VISITATION. Please contact Megan Buggea at 978-462-7373 in advance to schedule an indoor or outdoor visit.
Since May 8, 2020, Port Healthcare Center has had 74 confirmed cases of COVID-19. In addition, Port has had 0 clusters of three or more residents/staff with new onset of respiratory symptoms within 72 hours of each other.
Here is a more detailed update regarding the prevalence of COVID-19 in Port. On April 21, 2021:
- 0 residents or staff have confirmed COVID-19. When a resident tests positive, we notify residents and their representative(s) of their condition and implement protocols for their care and treatment. We also follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), including return to work guidance, for staff who test positive.
- 20 residents and staff have recovered from COVID-19.
- 196 residents and staff have tested negative for COVID-19.
- It has been 54 days since a new resident or staff member has tested positive.
Mitigating actions that Port Healthcare Center is taking to prevent/reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 include the following: altering or suspending normal operations of the facility pursuant to CMS/CDC/DPH guidelines, including limitation of visitors and social distancing and separation of residents; screening employees every shift; requiring employees to use PPE as indicated, including N95 and regular face masks, gowns, face shields, gloves, and droplet precautions equipment; increasing cleaning and sanitizing, including sanitizing with Clean Republic Hypochlorous Acid Disinfectant; providing new admissions with cloth masks and providing education to them on the use of the masks, hand hygiene and cough etiquette; distancing of residents; limiting residents’ movements outside their rooms; and separating COVID-19 positive residents from other residents.
Whittier Health Network performed COVID-19 testing for residents and employees at the Facility in May of 2020.
There is a nationwide shortage of PPE, however there is currently adequate PPE in this facility.