How will you define a good death?

There’s no right or wrong answer to this question. Death—like life—is unique to each individual. We’re here to give you and your family the power to decide how you’d like to live in the months before you die.

Too often, the final months of a person’s life are spent in and out of hospitals, enduring expensive, painful, and frequently ineffective medical treatments. Everyone deserves the best care possible, but we believe that for many, that means relieving pain, giving comfort, and making peace. By providing these services in a person’s home, families can spend this meaningful time on what really matters.

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What is Hospice?

Hospice is a type of medical care that is dedicated to improving the patient’s quality of life and comfort. The focus of care moves from active treatment to helping the patient and family live the best life possible.

Hospice is a service, not a place. It’s available to anyone who has a serious illness and has been told they have 6 months left to live. Hospice care is rooted in the belief that the end of life deserves as much beauty and respect as the beginning. That means that individuals should have the freedom to choose the support they need—including the choice to stop receiving hospice care at any time.

Hospice care is covered by Medicare, and as a community-based nonprofit, Hospice of the Piedmont will never turn someone away based on their ability to pay. Less than 0.5% of those we treat will ever receive a bill.

Hospice Brochure

How is hospice care provided?

The hospice model is about much more than just medical care. Patients and their loved ones find support for body, mind, and spirit by working with a dedicated, interdisciplinary team. Hospice caregivers focus on symptoms that may cause pain or fear, so that patients and families can have a better quality of life during the final chapter.

Click the graphic to learn more.

 

Hospice Care yellow and blue circular chart showing the relationships between the patient and family, friends, and caregivers

Community Perspectives

FINDINGS FROM OUR RESEARCH STUDY

As part of our mission to positively transform how our community views and experiences serious illness, dying, and grief, we conducted a survey of our community to find out what they think and feel about these issues. Here are some key results.

 

An infographic with a percentage of people who believe talking about death is important and who wait for others to start the conversation

Of those familiar with hospice care, nearly 90% view it favorably.

Infographic showing top words associated with hospice and percentage of people that think it is a

DID YOU KNOW?

Studies have shown that in some populations, hospice patients actually live longer than patients with the same disease who do not use hospice (Connor, 2007)

Answer some questions by clicking GET STARTED to find out which of our services are right for you and your loved one.

Get Started

Additional Resources

  • Local Resources

    Jefferson Area Board for Aging
    The Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA) has been helping seniors, caregivers, and adults with disabilities of all income levels since 1975. JABA offers congregate and home delivered meal programs, access to numerous senior centers, case management services, and assistance with aging and crisis services.
    Service Area: Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson

    Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services Board
    The mission of Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services Board is to improve quality of life by providing comprehensive aging services including a senior center, home-delivered meals program, and crisis services.
    Service Area    : Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, Rappahannock

    Valley Program for Aging Services
    The mission of the Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) is to empower those 60 years and older with the resources and opportunities needed to lead engaged lives. VPAS offers transportation to essential services and non-emergency medical appointments, home-delivered meal programs, VPAS senior center, case management services, and assistance with aging and crisis services.
    Service Area: Augusta

    Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging
    The Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging (PSRAA) at-home services are targeted to those 60 years of age or older who are at risk of institutional placement. Priority is given to individuals with the greatest social or economic need, or those residing in rural or geographically isolated areas. Piedmont Senior Resources offers homemaker services, care coordination, repair, and renovation, congregate and home delivered meals, and non-emergency medical transportation to those who meet health and financial requirements.
    Service Area: Buckingham

    The Center at Belvedere
    The Center at Belvedere works to positively impact Charlottesville and the surrounding community by creating opportunities for healthy aging through physical well-being, lifelong learning, healthy aging, and civic engagement.
    Service Area: Charlottesville, Albemarle

  • Hospice Resources

    Caring Connections
    A program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), is a national consumer and community engagement initiative to improve care at the end of life.

    Begin the Conversation
    A public education initiative sponsored by Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter to encourage people to identify and communicate their healthcare choices.

    Hospice Foundation of America
    Helps those who cope personally or professionally with a terminal illness, death, and the process of grief and bereavement.

  • Caregiver Resources

    Caregiver Action Network
    Educates, supports, empowers, and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age.

    CaringBridge
    Provides free websites that connect people experiencing a significant health challenge to family and friends.

    Senior Guidance
    An organization dedicated to providing senior living assistance to the elderly. At Senior Guidance, our mission is to help senior citizens during their most difficult times. Senior Guidance provides numerous helpful resources and articles on senior living, aging, dementia, senior care, caregiving, and more.

  • Senior Living Resources

    A Place for Mom
    Assisting over 60,000 families across the nation per month in finding senior housing and care options. Senior Living Guides are state-based resources with access to businesses and organizations that provide services to seniors and their families.

    Aging With Dignity
    Helps you get the care you want – when you need it. The Five Wishes document goes beyond a living will and helps you express to family and physicians how you want to be treated if you are seriously ill and unable to speak for yourself.

    Caring.com
    Exists to help family caregivers make informed decisions, saving time and money, while feeling less alone. They offer expert guidance and senior living & care options.

    Caregiver Action Network
    Educates, supports, empowers, and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties of old age.

    Senior Advisor
    Helps users locate senior housing and communities all around Virginia with sorting options including distance, ratings, and different accommodations. Each listing includes user reviews and photos.

    Senior Guidance
    Dedicated to providing senior living assistance to the elderly. At Senior Guidance, our mission is to help senior citizens during their most difficult times. Senior Guidance provides numerous helpful resources and articles on senior living, aging, dementia, senior care, caregiving, and more.

  • Financial & Legal Planning Resources

    Virginia Insurance Counseling & Assistance Program
    Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) offers counseling on topics including Medicare, Medigap, and Long-Term Care Insurance.

    Virginia Advance Directive
    Free Advance Directive tool that is legal in the state of Virginia. An Advance Healthcare Directive is a document that allows you to share your wishes surrounding your healthcare preferences, should there be a time when you are unable to make decisions for yourself.

    Central Virginia Legal Aid Society
    Provide free civil legal services to qualifying low-income individuals in need and preventative legal education in our communities. They can assist with a range of topics such as divorce, estate planning, and elder abuse.

    Aging With Dignity
    Helps you get the care you want – when you need it. The Five Wishes document goes beyond a living will and helps you express to family and physicians how you want to be treated if you are seriously ill and unable to speak for yourself.

  • Miscellaneous Resources

    Free Translation
    Allows users to obtain free translations of both text and web pages.

  • Request a Presentation

    Hospice of the Piedmont provides educational talks and presentations to the community, free of charge. Request a presentation on a topic related to hospice and end-of-life care.

Hospice Care yellow and blue circular chart showing the relationships between the patient and family, friends, and caregivers

Chaplain: focused on the spiritual dimensions of illness and death, the Chaplain provides personalized support that honors the beliefs of patients and families.

Grief Specialist: supports the entire family throughout the process of illness, death, and living forward after loss. They can also work with your religious or spiritual community, if you wish.

Hospice Aide: provides personal care for the patient in the home and educates loved ones about how to provide care between visits.

Registered Nurse: helps manage your medical care and keep track of medications while coordinating the broader care team.

Social Worker: here to listen to what you and your family need—from prioritizing your personal goals and wishes to connecting you with resources like financial assistance, transportation, or meal delivery.

Physician: oversees all medical aspects of care, including prescribing medications, monitoring symptoms, and coordinating other clinical team members.

Volunteer: offers companionship and helps out with household chores, errands, and other daily needs. Learn more about volunteers.