Capital Hospice

Provides expert medical care and emotional, spiritual and practical support to more than 850 seriously ill patients and their families each day, regardless of their ability to pay.

Why do we exist?

Capital Hospice began when a group of caring and committed nurses and doctors agreed, “there is a better way for patients at the end of their lives to be cared for—and comforted—and in their own homes.”  One of the first hospice programs in the country and now the largest nonprofit program in the Washington metropolitan region, Capital Hospice was launched in a church basement 33 years ago.  Today, we provide expert medical care and emotional, spiritual and practical support to more than 900 patients with acute symptoms and pain every day and to their families.  Capital Hospice’s Patient Care Fund enables us to care for patients without insurance.  And we care for patients whenever and wherever they need us—in assisted living centers, nursing homes, hospitals and, most often, in their own homes. 

Each patient and family has a hospice team of specially trained professionals and volunteers working together to provide state-of-the-art pain and symptom management and emotional and spiritual support, as well as help with practical matters like ordering medical equipment, managing medications and running errands. The teams include physicians, nurses, home health aides and certified nursing assistants, social workers, chaplains, grief counselors, trained volunteers, dieticians, and physical, speech and other clinical therapists, as needed.

We often hear from our patients and families, “I wish I had called Capital Hospice sooner.”  Someday, someone you love may need the special care provided by Capital Hospice.  We are committed to providing expert care to whoever needs it, whenever they call for help, and wherever they call home. 

What have you accomplished?

Since 1977, Capital Hospice has cared for more than 55,000 patients and families in the National Capital area.  We serve more than 5,200 patients and families every year, including more than 500 at our special Inpatient Center in Arlington, VA.  Capital Hospice maintains an open door policy,  providing services to all those who need us – patients with heart disease, cancer, AIDS, and Alzheimer’s disease, however sick they are, no matter what their age, from infants to grandparents, and regardless of their ability to pay.  The unit of care is both the patient and the family. Capital Hospice provides bereavement support and counseling to families up to 13 months after the patient’s passing.

To support our families and caregivers, Capital Hospice has one of the only After-Hours Call Centers in the region where hospice-certified nurses provide ‘round-the-clock assistance to family caregivers.  And Capital Hospice has the largest concentration of hospice and palliative care certified nurses and home health aides in the Washington region.

Maria’s story highlights the quality care that Capital Hospice provides our patients, including those who benefit from Capital Hospice’s Patient Care Fund. 

Maria

Maria was only 27 years old when she found out she had ovarian cancer.  This young wife and mother of two children, a 3-year-old and a 10-month-old, was in shock. But her faith and a supportive church community helped her through early treatments, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Unfortunately, Maria's cancer entered her lymphatic system and began to form tumors in other parts of her body. As her symptoms worsened, it became impossible for Maria to care for her home and children. Her husband, weighted down by grief and anger at her illness and by his job and other responsibilities, was overwhelmed.

The family didn't have insurance to cover at-home care for Maria. Plus, it would have been hard for her to get the rest and care she needed at home with two small children.   Thanks to Capital Hospice's Patient Care Fund—made possible by community support—we were able to provide Maria outstanding care during her final days at our Inpatient Center in Arlington.  Her family was still able to spend time with her, while we provided Maria with ‘round-the-clock nursing care, relieving the pressure on her husband and family.  And during her final days, Maria was able to focus what energy she had on enjoying her children and family.  

Capital Hospice will continue its open door policy and provide care to everyone who needs it, regardless of ability to pay.   Every person who comes to Capital Hospice receives the same compassionate care. 

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