Hospice Caring's Patient and Family program offers practical and emotional support without charge to terminally ill children and adults with a prognosis of twelve months or less. Our volunteers are committed to providing care that promotes quality of life. They add life to their patient's final days by providing services that typically include:

Why choose a non-medical hospice?

Let’s compare. A medical hospice accepts patients in the last six months of their lives and requires that curative treatments be discontinued. A medical hospice provides palliative care, striving to make the patients as comfortable and pain-free as possible in their final days. In contrast, Hospice Caring, as a non-medical hospice, does not require a six-month or less prognosis, curative treatments may still be pursued, and a physician's referral is not necessary. Hospice Caring’s services are provided at no charge.

May patients obtain services from both a medical hospice and a non-medical hospice at the same time?

Yes. In fact, Hospice Caring coordinates with local medical hospice services when a family requires both types of hospices. We work in conjunction with every medical hospice in Montgomery County, as well as home-care agencies, nursing homes, and hospitals.

Will a physician be involved?

Every patient is required to have a local physician available to respond to medical needs. Hospice Caring can help locate an appropriate medical provider if none is currently involved.

Does the patient need to have signed a Do Not Resuscitate order?

No. We provide services to those with and without a Do Not Resuscitate order.

Does the patient need to have a doctor’s referral before calling Hospice Caring?

No. We accept patients with or without a doctor’s referral.

Where is care provided?

Volunteer caregivers will visit homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities -- wherever needed.

Who are the caregivers?

Caregivers are carefully screened and trained volunteers who work directly with patients, families and friends to navigate end-of-life challenges and choices. They represent a variety of professional and ethnic backgrounds, ages, and life experiences. Common among them all is the desire to make a difference in the lives of those faced with end-of-life challenges.

How do I begin receiving this care? 

The patient or family member will contact Hospice Caring by phone. One of our coordinators will determine if the patient is hospice-appropriate. A short, in-person interview will be arranged, and a volunteer will be assigned. We at Hospice Caring work hard to match the volunteer with the patient so that the time spent together is comfortable and appreciated by both parties.

What happens after a patient dies?