Let’s Work Together
When your patients and their families are facing serious illness, you want to connect them with care you can trust. At Delaware Hospice, we’re here to support you – and those you serve – with responsive communication, collaborative planning and expert care every step of the way. Whether you’re referring to hospice, palliative or dementia care, our team makes the process seamless so your patients receive timely, compassionate and high-quality support. You can count on us to deliver the professionalism, coordination and respect you expect from a trusted partner.
Why Healthcare Professionals Choose Delaware Hospice
- Seamless referral and admission process
- 24/7 on-call clinical support
- Interdisciplinary teams committed to continuity of care
- Real-time communication with referring providers
- Community-based care wherever the patient resides
- Trusted for over 40 years across Delaware and southern Pennsylvania
Refer a Patient to Hospice or Palliative Care
You can refer a patient quickly and easily by calling us directly or using our secure online form. A member of our team will follow up promptly to assess eligibility, answer questions, and support next steps.
Depending on their needs, your patients may benefit from one of our specialized care programs:
- Hospice Care: Compassionate, holistic care for individuals diagnosed with serious illness who choose to shift their focus from intense medical treatments to ensuring each day is as comfortable and meaningful as possible; hospice is designed to provide months of support – not just for the final weeks or days of life – to bring peace and help patients enrich their quality of life
- Palliative Care: Symptom relief and quality of life support at any stage of a serious illness
- Dementia Care Program: Specialized services, education and family support tailored to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
- Katybug Pediatric Program: Palliative and hospice care for infants, children and teens – the only program of its kind in the state
- Helping Hearts Program: Hospice care tailored for cardiac and pulmonary patients
- Specialty support for cancer, advanced liver and kidney disease
Partner Resources
Delaware Hospice’s reach extends beyond the patient’s medical care by also providing emotional and spiritual guidance and support to both patient and families.
Delaware Hospice partners with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, providing the best possible care for patients and their families.
Generally, if your patient has a life-limiting illness and experiences any of these conditions, it may be an indication that a hospice referral is appropriate:
- Pain that is more difficult to control
- Significant weight loss or decreased appetite
- Increased assistance with activities of daily living
- Frequent hospitalizations
- Increased incidence of infections
- Decline in mental status
- Weakness or chronic fatigue
For those patients with advanced illnesses, once a statement of prognosis is made, Delaware Hospice is available to come to a physician practice, hospital or other care facility and discuss the benefits of Delaware Hospice care and support services.
End-of-life care conversations with patients and/or caregivers may be appropriate if the following has occurred:
- Uncontrolled pain requiring assessment, medication adjustment or skilled nursing care
- A change in the intensity of symptoms requiring nursing intervention
- Respiratory distress
- The need for a higher level of medical attention or family support
- A need for further education to provide care for a loved one at home
We also offer guidance and tools to help with end-of-life conversations and consultative support.
Hospice offers four levels of care tailored to individual needs and circumstances. The physician will determine each different level of care under Medicare guidelines:
- In-Home Hospice Care includes a dedicated team of professionals who visit the patient’s home regularly to manage symptoms, assist with daily activities, and provide emotional support.
- Inpatient Hospice Care is provided within facilities that offer a structured environment—like the Delaware Hospice Center or most hospital settings— for patients needing intensive, round-the-clock care. Here, professionals closely monitor a patient’s condition, ensuring immediate relief and personalized treatment are always available.
- Respite Care offers temporary relief to support caregivers during challenging times. This short-term care ensures that caregivers have the opportunity to rest, knowing that their loved ones are in capable, compassionate hands.
- Continuous Home Care provides short-term crisis management and focuses on immediate intervention through symptom control and intensive management.
Each level is thoughtfully designed to balance support and independence, ensuring that each patient’s journey is respected and dignified.
Education for Professionals
Delaware Hospice is committed to advancing quality care through continuing education and training for healthcare professionals.
Available opportunities include:
Delaware Hospice is committed to educating the medical community on hospice and palliative eligibility criteria and other topics that are pertinent to your patients’ well-being. We can conduct in-services at your location. Fill out the following request form for your choice of several presentation topics.
Palliative Care: Relief and Support During Serious Illness
Delaware Hospice is proud to offer the nationally recognized Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar – a key step toward earning the Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) credential from the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP). This in-depth training is ideal for nurses, social workers, case managers and other professionals who care for people living with dementia.
What you’ll gain:
- A deeper understanding of Alzheimer’s and other dementias
- Practical strategies for managing challenging behaviors
- Communication techniques that support dignity and respect
- CE credits (where applicable)
- Eligibility to apply for CDP certification through the NCCDP
Format: Virtual or in-person
Who should attend: Healthcare professionals, caregivers, long-term care staff and anyone working with people with dementia
Course Instructor: Olivia Washinski, Manager of Clinical Training and Educational Development
Register today!
ADDC Seminar Payment
This payment is for the Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care (ADDC) Seminar only. This ADDC seminar is required for all qualified individuals seeking certification as a Certified Dementia Practioner (CDP®) through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP). Participants must apply directly for certification after completing this seminar. Additional credentialing fees apply. Association discount code and additional details will be provided in class. Pricing is subject to change at any time. Visit NCCDP.org for current pricing and qualification details. This seminar is approved for seven (7) CEUs for Nurses with the CEU Network in most states for an additional fee. Pricing is subject to change at any time by the CEU Network. Information will be provided in class.