Hospice of the Chesapeake

08/07/2026

Purple Heart Day is observed annually on August 7 to honor and remember U.S. service members who have been wounded or killed in combat. The date marks the creation of the original award, the Badge of Military Merit, established by General George Washington in 1782.

Today, we honor the incredible bravery of the men and women who earned the Purple Heart, a symbol of sacrifice, resilience and selfless service to our country.

At Hospice of the Chesapeake, we are honored to care for veterans in our community, recognizing the unique experiences, challenges and journeys they carry with them. Through compassionate, veteran-informed care, we strive to ensure that those who served our country receive the dignity, respect and support they deserve, especially during life's most difficult moments.

💛 To all Purple Heart recipients and veterans in our community: thank you for your service, your sacrifice and your courage. We are proud to stand beside you and your families.

08/05/2026

Episode 4 is STREAMING!
This week we sit down with Perry Platt, Inpatient Center Clinical Manager and a Hospice Nurse at Hospice of the Chesapeake and one of the youngest voices in the field. Perry takes on the words that scare people before anyone explains them, hospice and morphine, and shows what they actually mean for comfort, dignity, and choice. As a thirty-year-old in a field most people picture as older, she brings a rare vantage point, and a message aimed at all of us: the best time to decide how you want to be cared for is now, while you still have every wit about you.

She is honest that this work is hard and that there is real beauty in it too. As she puts it, it doesn't have to be scary. You can pass with comfort.

Listen now, and share it with someone who has been putting off a conversation they know is coming. You can find it here or wherever you find your favorite podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2629131/episodes/19603505-while-we-still-have-our-wits

To Know Ends is presented by Chesapeake Health Partners in partnership with Hospice of the Chesapeake.

Perry Platt was an EMT, then an ICU nurse, then a travel nurse, and none of it fit. She kept moving until she found the one place her puzzle piece finally clicked into place: hospice. Perry is a Hospice Inpatient Center Clinical Manager and n...

08/04/2026

📝 It's National Make-a-Will Month!

Did you know only 1 in 4 Americans have a will or living trust? Estate planning can feel overwhelming, but having a will gives your loved ones a clear roadmap and gives you peace of mind.

No matter your age, a will helps you:

✔️ Choose who manages your estate
✔️ Decide who gets what
✔️ Name a guardian for minor children
✔️ Provide for your pets
✔️ Reduce stress and disputes for your family
✔️ Leave a legacy by supporting causes you love

Life changes — marriage, parenthood, retirement, relocation — are all good reminders to create, review, or update your will.

📖 Read "10 Reasons Why You Need a Will" from Michael E. Lehr, Esq., to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eSkaSVnf

08/03/2026

The Chesapeake Life Center was honored to co-host the Come S.I.T. AWhile Retreat in partnership with Sisters in Truth. This full-day healing retreat brought together a diverse group of women, creating a welcoming space where individuals from different backgrounds could connect through their shared experiences of grief and healing.

Throughout the day, participants found opportunities for reflection, meaningful conversation, restorative activities and community support. Many left feeling seen, supported and empowered with new tools to continue their grief journey.

The Come S.I.T. While Grieving Retreat showcased the power of collaboration and community, reinforcing our commitment to creating compassionate, inclusive spaces where healing can begin.

07/31/2026

We are so grateful for these Hospice of the Chesapeake sponsors who are supporting us at the St. Charles Running Festival, presented by Lennar. We're proud to once again partner with Corrigan Sports to bring you this great Charles County tradition of fun, fitness, family and food.

Every step you take helps Hospice of the Chesapeake care for patients and families in Charles County. Your support helps nearly 85 patients and their families who rely on our compassionate care teams every single day, more than ever before.

Join us from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Regency Furniture Stadium for a 5K, 10K, Memorial Walk/Run, and the Taste of Maryland post-race party.
You can register for the race and purchase your Taste of Maryland tickets here: https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/blue-crab-run/

Brian & Patricia Giese Foundation
St. Charles Running Festival
University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center

07/30/2026

🎧 Catch up now: "Take the Cape Off" — Episode 3 of To Know Ends

This July, for National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, our own Jennifer Ward opens up about grief, faith and the end-of-life conversations Black families often avoid.

Jennifer came to this work through losing her grandmother, the matriarch of a family of 15. Her message: You can take the cape off.

If you've ever been "the strong one," this one's for you. Haven't listened yet? Download it now and explore the rest of the series while you're at it.

Find it here or wherever you find your favorite podcasts: https://toknowendspodcast.buzzsprout.com/2629131/episodes/19531067-take-the-cape-off

Some people spend their whole lives holding everyone else together. Jennifer Ward's work begins the moment they finally set that weight down.A licensed social worker and bereavement counselor, Jennifer came to this work through the loss of her gra...

07/29/2026

📰 New issue of The Referral is here!

Every clinician who's cared for a seriously ill patient knows the feeling of a referral that came together late. This month, we dig into why this happens and the data is striking:

📊 Median hospice stay: 18 days. But heart disease patients average 26 days, while stroke patients average just 4.

🏥 Referrals from a hospital stay average 9 days in hospice.

🏠 Patients already in long-term care get referred later, even though hospice offers more than facility care alone.

The pattern is clear: non-cancer diagnoses, facility residents, and hospital-based referrals are where the delay hides — and where earlier conversations matter most.

Inside this issue:
✅ The Gift of Time: Every Late Referral Steals Some
✅ Five Places the Delay Hides
✅ Our Commitment: Hospice of the Chesapeake as Your Partner

Not sure if your patient qualifies? Unsure how to start the conversation? That uncertainty is reason enough to call — the consult commits no one.

📞 Call us at 877-462-1101 to talk through a case, ask about disease-specific eligibility, or have someone from our team join a family conversation.

07/28/2026

Demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to compassionate care throughout our community, the Brian & Patricia Giese Foundation is proud to be the Premier Sponsor of the Partners In Care End of Summer Luau on October 1.

Escape on the water’s edge at Kurtz’s Beach. Enjoy an evening filled with delicious island-inspired cuisine, tropical beverages, lively entertainment, and exciting auction items all while supporting Partners In Care’s mission of helping older adults in our community stay independent and engaged.

Experience the spirit of the islands with a spectacular performance by Meki's Tamure Polynesian Arts Group. Plus, enjoy music, co****le, and plenty of festive fun!

The success of this signature event is made possible by the Brian & Patricia Giese Foundation and many other generous sponsors.

Tickets are limited. Reserve yours today! https://partnersincaremd.salsalabs.org/endofsummerluau/index.html

Brian & Patricia Giese Foundation
Partners In Care, Maryland
Meki's Tamure Polynesian Arts Group, Inc.

07/27/2026

Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation is proud to announce the Brian & Patricia Giese Foundation as the Premier Sponsor of its 2026 Fall Event Series, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to compassionate care throughout our community. This includes supporting our popular, long-running Golf Tournament, which returns Thursday, Sept. 24.

Swing into action at the beautiful Queenstown Harbor Golf. Enjoy delicious food and drink, lively entertainment, and camaraderie, all while supporting the vital programs our patients and families depend on. Whether you’re an avid golfer, a dedicated supporter of our cause, or someone looking to make a difference, this event is your chance to give back.

The success of this signature event is made possible by the Brian & Patricia Giese Foundation and many other generous sponsors.
To become a sponsor or to register your foursome, visit https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/golf/

07/24/2026

Yesterday, we celebrated the incredible team at Sunrise Senior Living in Severna Park.

We hosted a staff appreciation luncheon to say thank you for the compassionate care they give every day, including to our own Hospice of the Chesapeake patients who call Sunrise home. Partnerships like this are what make it possible for us to care for our patients with the support of a whole community around them.

With a delicious meal catered by Iron Rooster, we celebrated this incredible team. It was a joy to see them enjoy a little recognition for all they do.

We are so grateful for partners like Sunrise, whose kindness and dedication make our work and our patients' lives better every day.