Introducing Our Partners At Delaware Hospice

Are you familiar with the differences between hospice and palliative care?

According to Trella Health’s 2025 Post-Acute Care Industry Trend Report, hospice admissions increased by 3.7% between 2023 and 2024. Demand for hospice has been rising, along with the average length of stay (ALOS). Trella Health predicts this growth to continue as more families become aware of the benefits of hospice services.

At Griswold Home Care for Delaware County, we’re proud to partner with local organizations that support the quality of life of patients impacted by serious illnesses. Keep reading to learn more about hospice care, palliative care, and meet one of our partners: Delaware Hospice!

Who Is Delaware Hospice?

Delaware Hospice is a non-profit, community-based healthcare organization that originated in Delaware and now serves regions around Pennsylvania, including Delaware County. Since 1982, they’ve helped individuals and families navigate the challenges of serious illnesses.

Licensed in southern Pennsylvania and approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Delaware Hospice provides hospice care, palliative care, dementia care, and grief support to patients impacted by conditions such as:

• Cancer
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Congestive heart failure (CHF)
• Dementias, such as Alzheimer’s disease
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease

Delaware Hospice is a Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model partner organization! We are proud to partner with them through this program. GUIDE supports dementia and Alzheimer’s patients through help with things like bathing, grooming, companionship, and more.

What is Hospice Care?

Hospice care is designed for those living with a serious illness that is no longer responding to curative treatment. Specifically, hospice is for patients whose doctors believe they have six months or less to live. The goal of hospice care is to provide comfort and dignity as the patient approaches the end of life; attempts to cure the patient’s illness are stopped.

At Delaware Hospice, this type of care includes medical support, pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual care, and more. They can provide care wherever you’re most comfortable, whether that’s in the home, a facility, or their dedicated Delaware Hospice Center. Here is some more information about what you can expect from their hospice care services:

• A care team that includes nurses, social workers, chaplains, aides, and volunteers
• 24/7 on-call support, so you’re never alone
• Grief support and counseling for you and your family

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care can benefit patients of any age with any stage of serious or chronic illness, whether they are still receiving curative treatments or not. This specialized form of care is made for those in need of symptom relief. By providing comfort and support, palliative care aims to improve the patient’s quality of life and relieve discomfort. This type of care may benefit those with conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, strokes, or other illnesses.

At Delaware Palliative, a program of Delaware Hospice, the care team can help you manage pain, fatigue, and other uncomfortable symptoms. They can help you coordinate care plans with different doctors, support your mental and spiritual health, and even help your family plan for future care.

How Does Griswold Support Hospice & Palliative Patients?

At Griswold, we’re proud to provide hospice and palliative care support for patients and their families. Our Caregivers can help with emotional support, medication reminders, homemaking, companionship, or personal care. We offer around-the-clock care for those needing 24-hour support, and respite care for family caregivers in need of a break. Located in Havertown, we serve areas throughout Delaware County, including Drexel Hill, Haverford, and Villanova. Give us a call to learn more!