Services are provided by a skilled interdisciplinary team to assist patients and families through the difficult journey of a terminal illness. These services are provided to all patients, including the uninsured and under-insured.
Our care team
Care is coordinated by a team that includes doctors, nurses, social workers, spiritual counselors, hospice aides, and trained volunteers. When a patient begins hospice, the team meets with the family to understand their needs and create a personalized care plan.
- Doctors: Physicians specialized in hospice and palliative care oversee medical needs, manage complex symptoms, and coordinate with the patient’s primary doctor as needed.
- Nurses (RNs): Trained in end-of-life care, hospice nurses coordinate care, provide bedside support, manage symptoms, and are available on-call 24/7 for urgent needs.
- Hospice Aides (CNAs): Certified Nursing Assistants assist with personal care such as bathing and dressing, based on the patient’s needs.
- Social Workers (MSWs): Provide counseling and support with practical needs—such as advance care planning, caregiver stress, and coordinating in-home services.
- Spiritual Counselors: Offer emotional and spiritual support to patients and families, regardless of religious belief or background, with a focus on comfort, connection, and meaning.
- Volunteers: Specially trained volunteers offer companionship, caregiver respite, legacy work, and other support as requested by the family.
Veterans Care
Through the We Honor Veterans Program, we are partnering with the Veterans Administration and NHPCO to provide quality care, focusing on the particular psychosocial, physical, and spiritual aspects of end-of-life care for Veterans and their families.
Montgomery Kids
When a child has a life-limiting illness, our specialized pediatric hospice care team is here to help. The Montgomery Kids (Mkids) team is a dedicated, interdisciplinary group of trained professionals who work with children, their families, and their doctors to provide coordinated care.
Supportive hospice services
Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice also provide a full range of supportive services to ensure patient comfort and family peace of mind:
- Medications, treatments, and supplies related to the hospice diagnosis
- Durable medical equipment provided according to the care plan
- Comprehensive pain and symptom management
- 5-day respite care for caregiver relief, when needed
- Bereavement counseling available free of charge for up to 13 months after a loved one’s passing
- Caregiver training to help families feel confident in providing daily support
- Complementary therapies such as massage, music, animal companionship, Reiki, and aromatherapy
Spiritual Counseling
For many patients and families, serious illness raises questions about meaning and purpose, questions such as: “Why is this happening to me? Why now? What does it mean to me, to my family? ” To help people cope with spiritual distress, Montgomery Hospice offers non-denominational spiritual care.
We recognize that hospice and dying are experienced differently across faiths, cultures, and traditions. Our counselors offer emotional support and non-denominational spiritual care for patients and families. Our team is here to honor and support each person’s unique beliefs by helping patients and their loved ones explore what this chapter means to them in a way that feels personal and meaningful.
We prioritize our relationship with the members of our community. We are present among established areas in the county, including synagogues, churches, senior networks, and more.
Learn more about our role as hospice chaplains here:
Gesher Shalom: Jewish Resources
Gesher Shalom: Bridge of Peace provides resources, services and support to Jewish individuals and families associated with Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice. We recognize that people are at different places along the religious and cultural continuum, and we work to meet each individual’s particular spiritual needs. Rabbis are available to help families with end-of-life discussions.
American Muslim Senior Society
Maintaining strong bonds with community members, we provide education and training for the American Muslim Senior Society (AMSS) Ambassadors program which supports seniors and their families facing serious illness.
Christian Communities
We work closely with local parishes and congregations to meet individual spiritual needs, including blessings, last rites, etc. Many of our Christian patients and families may rely on the rituals of prayer, scripture and quiet time (meditation) to support them as they prepare for end of life and grieve their loved ones. These aspects of peace, hope, faith, prayer, forgiveness, and grace can be a significant strength. While we cannot always change the crisis that we face, we can help change the mental and physical strain that it puts on our patients and families minds and bodies.
Complementary Therapies
In addition to conventional medical care, we offer the following holistic therapies and services for comfort and symptom relief. These services are available to patients wherever they are treated: at home, in facilities, and at Casey House. These therapies include:
Palliative Massage Therapy
Therapeutic massage techniques used where clinically indicated to relieve pain, muscle tension and other specific symptoms. Provided by Licensed Massage Therapists specially trained to modify touch appropriately to work with hospice patients.
Comfort Touch®
A nurturing form of touch designed for elderly, ill or frail patients. This gentle touch technique soothes the nervous system, easing stress and promoting deep relaxation. Provided by Licensed Massage Therapists and trained volunteers.
Lavender Oil Hand Massage
An accessible means of stress relief combining the soothing aroma of Lavender and the comfort of touch. Provided to patients and caregivers by staff and trained volunteers, using a special blend of Jojoba oil and Lavender essential oil.
Reiki
A gentle energy technique involving hands placed lightly on or just above the body to promote relaxation, comfort and a sense of well-being. Provided by staff and volunteer practitioners qualified through Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice.
Music Therapy
The use of live or recorded musical interventions to address specific therapeutic needs of a patient. Examples include singing, lyrics analysis, active music listening, or song-writing. Provided by Board-Certified Music Therapists.
Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice uses music in many ways for our patients. We have a Board-Certified Music Therapist on staff who uses musical interventions to achieve specific goals of an individual patient. We also provide music through voice and instruments in order to bring joy, peace and comfort.
Threshold Choir
Small ensembles of volunteer singers bring peace and comfort to the terminally ill through a cappella singing. Gentle voices, simple songs, and sincere kindness soothe and reassure patients and family.
Music at the Bedside
Use of music to bring peace and comfort. Volunteer musicians play a variety of musical instruments for patients and families. Volunteers are also available to listen together with patients to favorite recorded music. Customized playlists can be created from our extensive music library.
Reverie Harp
Small stringed instrument designed to be used with patients for comfort and healing. Peaceful and calming, Reverie Harp music often accompanies Tea Time at Casey House.
Aromatherapy
Use of pure essential oils from plants to ease symptoms and enhance well-being. Aromatherapy products developed by staff clinical aromatherapists may be used in patient care in addition to traditional medications. Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice Clinical Aromatherapists are Registered Nurses certified by the Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy.
Animal Companionship
Volunteers bring their certified pets (dogs and cats) on their visits, offering comfort, tactile stimulation, and unconditional love. These pet visitors, qualified through community certifying organizations, bring incredible joy to animal lovers.