Hospice of St. Mary's is a not-for-profit service that provides physical, psychological and spiritual care and comfort to those who are terminally-ill and to their families. Hospice also offers grief support to those families and to any community members who have experienced a loss.

Hospice is a philosophy of caring for those with a life threatening illness. The Hospice philosophy holds that end-of-life care should emphasize quality of life. Hospice focuses on patient/family centered care that addresses the physical, emotional, spiritual and practical need of the patient. The goal of Hospice services is best expressed in the words of modern-day Hospice founder Dame Cicely Saunders: "You matter because you are you. You matter to the last moment of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die in peace, but also to live until you die." Hospice is there to affirm the person's dignity and integrity to the very last moment. Men, women and children who have a life limiting medical condition - cancer, heart disease, respiratory or pulmonary conditions, kidney failure, Alzheimer's, dementia, AIDS or other diagnosis's may apply for admission to hospice care.

In 1981, St. Mary's community leader and activist Betsy Barley founded Hospice of St. Mary's. Betsy was trained by Hospice of Northern VA and then recruited friends and neighbors to help in establishing the concept of Hospice care in St. Mary's county. In 1982 - a Board of Directors, Articles of Incorporation and By-laws were created, and community education began with 20 people graduating from the first volunteer training class. In April 1982, Hospice of St. Mary's cared for its first patient.

In 1990 Hospice of St. Mary's was granted a license for "General Hospice Program". Medical and Clinical services were provided by local home health agencies, however volunteers continued to provide patient care and bereavement support.

The Hospice program received Medicare certification in 1992 resulting in increased paid staff to comply with the mandate that nursing, social work, and counseling be direct (non-contract) Hospice services. To ensure continued support, Hospice of St. Mary's remains a department of St Mary's Hospital. This affiliation has enabled St Mary's Hospital and Hospice of St Mary's to offer our community seamless, non-profit care for end-of-life patients.

Hospice of St. Mary's cares for the whole person, and through pain and symptom management, helps the terminally ill person to live more comfortably during this final stage of life. Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death. Patients who have been determined to be at end-stages of illness (doctor prognosis of six months or less to live) benefit from Hospice services. A wide variety of treatments are covered by Medicare, Maryland Medical Assistance and most other private insurance companies. Hospice care is provided regardless of the patient's ability to pay.

Hospice patients are cared for at home, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and Hospice House. The hospice interdisciplinary team consists of doctors, nurses, social workers, hospice aides, chaplains, physical and occupational therapists, dieticians and a cadre of dedicated volunteers. Hospice is there to support the person and family's dignity and integrity until the very last moment.