Hospice Care for the Annandale VA, Washington DC, & Baltimore MD Communities

Hospice Care

Hospice is a philosophy of care that offers comfort and compassion for those at the end of life’s journey, providing care and support for the patient’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs, while offering support for family members. The mission of hospice is to provide hope when an illness cannot be cured.  Professional Healthcare Resources has a dedicated hospice team of physicians, nurses, social workers, certified hospice nurse aides, and volunteers, who work collectively to provide supportive care to the patient and their family. Hospice services include:

Skilled Nursing

Skilled NursingHospice care begins with an assessment by a nurse case manager, who works with the patient, family, the treating physician and our hospice medical director to create a plan of care. The idea is not to prolong life, but rather to improve quality of life, manage symptoms, and help the patient remain comfortable during end of life.

Hospice Care and Social Work

Our hospice care team also includes licensed social workers, who help coordinate resources, while working with the other disciplines to help the patient end their journey with dignity and comfort. The social worker can also provide supportive services and resource to help family accept the loss of their loved one.

Chaplin

An integral member of the hospice team, the Chaplin is a medical professional who plans, assesses, and cares for a patient’s spiritual needs throughout the end-of-life process. All spiritual counseling services are performed in accordance with the patient’s wishes and are completely optional. Simply put, the role of the Chaplin is to meet the patient wherever they are on their spiritual journey and help them find a sense of peace at the end of life.

Hospice Aides

From bathing assistance and personal care to assistance with feeding and toileting, our caring hospice aides are specially trained to provide supportive home care services within the hospice model.

Hospice Volunteers

Volunteers play a major role in hospice care and although Professional Healthcare has active volunteers, we are always looking for more. Volunteers go through 20 hours of training and can help hospice patients and their families in various capacities.

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Hospice Foundation

Hospice CareThe mission of the foundation is “To promote awareness and provide access to hospice services.” Through generous donations, the Hospice Foundation has provided and continues to provide some financial assistance for patients and families for: emergency housing, food, utilities, and funeral expenses and other needs. Because of our donors, hospice patients and families facing financial hardships are able to improve the quality of their lives.

The Hospice Foundation also sponsors continuing education programs to educate healthcare professionals and the community at large about hospice and end-of-life care.

Hospice Bereavement Services

Professional Healthcare understands that grief is a physical, spiritual, and emotional response to loss and we see the family as a beneficiary of our services, not just the patient. We offer counseling and support for our patients’ families and members of the community. Services include six-week support groups on the grieving process that provides support from others experiencing the loss of a loved one. Once this group is completed, family members can attend the Bridges meetings, which occur once a month and provide additional support.

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FAQs About Hospice Care

Q: How can I pay for hospice services?

A: Our hospice care services are covered by Medicare. To qualify for Medicare coverage, the patient must choose hospice care and the physician must certify the patient as terminally ill with six months or less to live. In addition to Medicare, we also accept Medicaid, TriCare, Kaiser Permanente and other major insurances.

Q: Is hospice care only for patients with terminal cancer?

A: No, Hospice care is for anyone with an end-stage chronic illness, not just cancer.

Q: How do I know I am choosing the right hospice provider?

A: You should find out as much as you can about a hospice provider before you refer yourself or a loved one. Here are some questions you should ask:

  • How long has the agency been in business?
  • Is the agency licensed by the state and certified by Medicare?
  • What services are provided to the family as well as the patient?

Additional information can be provided by the National Association for Homecare and Hospice, which provides a guide titled “Information about Hospice: A Consumer’s Guide.” To access the guide, go to: www.nahc.org or call 202.546.4759. This guide also can be requested from Professional Healthcare free of charge on 866.243.1234.

For more information about our hospice services, contact our Central Intake Department at 866.243.1234 or email intake@phri.com.


Disclaimer: Professional Healthcare Resources accepts patients under the care of a licensed attending physician and per individual request for personal care services without regard to race, national origin, marital status, religious preference, sex, age, sexual orientation, or disability.