COVID-19 Updates and Community Resources
Montgomery Hospice, Inc. continues to support patients and families in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties with exceptional end-of-life care, grief support, and education. We have been serving this community since 1981, and we are here for you.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many unprecedented challenges to our lives. At Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide the highest quality medical care to our patients—in their homes or at Casey House.
In response to the pandemic, we have put in place extensive measures to keep our patients, families and staff safe. This includes purchasing much needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including masks, gowns, gloves, deep cleaning of our office and increasing our technology platforms for secure virtual communication.
During these challenging times, we often look for sources of strength and resilience to help us navigate the unknown of this pandemic. We would like to provide you with organization updates and resources to support you and your loved ones during these moments of stress and anxiety.
The following guidance of many professionals brings – at a time like this – practical and timely advice and words of comfort to our community. We also welcome your support during this challenging time. Community support helps to ease the financial burden of unanticipated, but necessary, costs due to the pandemic.
Our Hospice Care During COVID-19
We continue to serve our patients through in-person visits. If preferable, we are also able to conduct telehealth visits. Below are some frequently asked questions about our hospice care during the pandemic:
Safety Protocols & Visit Guidelines
As of 11/12/2020
With the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the communities we serve, we are enforcing the following steps effective immediately for the safety of our employees, our patients and their families, and our community.
- Utilizing telehealth services for routine visits when possible.
- Careful screening of all patients and household members prior to in-person visits.
- During in-person visits, requiring that all household members in the room wear a face mask covering their mouth and nose.
Detailed guidelines and protocols for our staff and office locations are available below.
A comprehensive overview of our screening process and visiting guidelines for Hospice at Home patients in light of concerns regarding COVID-19:
A comprehensive overview of our visiting guidelines and safety precautions for Casey House in light of concerns regarding COVID-19:
The following notice includes our strict protection protocol for clinical and administrative staff, updates from our Center for Learning, as well as tips to protect against illness:
What You Can Do
Older adults (age 65+) and those with pre-existing medical conditions have a greater risk for serious illness, and in some cases death, if they become infected with COVID-19. Examples of preexisting medical conditions include: lung disease, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or other conditions that impact the immune system’s ability to fight germs. If you are an older adult and/or you have one or more chronic health conditions, you can take action to reduce your risk of exposure to COVID-19:
- Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
- Avoid crowds as much as possible.
- Wear a mask when outside your home or around people you do not live with.
- When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact, and wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer with at least 70 % alcohol content.
How You Can Help
Contributions from the community enable us to not only purchase necessary PPE and upgraded technology platforms, but they also allow us to respond to the increased need for Grief Support during this time of heightened stress. Due to the impacts of the pandemic, individuals grieving need more support than usual, since many at this time have grief complicated by isolation resulting from limited social interactions with family and friends or access to traditional rituals of mourning.
If you would like to help us meet the needs of our patients, their loved ones and the community, we welcome you to make a gift today. Your contribution—regardless of amount—will help to ensure our ability to be there for those who are grieving, as well as defray the unanticipated expenses of our new safety measures.
Together, we will make a difference in the lives of our neighbors and friends during an especially challenging time.

COVID-19 Vaccine
After a thorough research and review process, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for COVID-19 have been granted emergency authorization for distribution by the FDA. As a community, we have heard about and started to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. When getting your shots, you may experience some pain or side effects, which is a common reaction of your body building immunity and protection; the side effects may last a few days. Below are some frequently asked questions about the vaccine:
At this time, most COVID-19 vaccines require 2 shots for effectiveness. With any vaccination, it takes time for the body to build immunity and protection after receiving the shots. The COVID-19 vaccines may not protect you until 1-2 weeks after your second shot. It is imperative that we continue to limit the spread of the virus through mask-wearing, social distancing at least 6 feet, and washing hands frequently – even if you are vaccinated.
Additional Resources
Resources
Advance Care Planning
Resources to assist you with advance care planning, especially now during COVID-19.
Self Care
For community members, healthcare professionals, and caregivers. Tips on self-care for your lifestyle, resources from health organizations, and a video series from our Complementary Therapies department showing different ways to practice self-care at home.