November is Hospice & Palliative Care Month, a time to honor the extraordinary dedication of hospice professionals and the difference they make in our community. At Hospice of the Piedmont, we are proud to celebrate 45 years as our region’s nonprofit hospice, providing care that focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families.
What makes our hospice so special? It’s our people. Our team includes doctors, nurses, aides, chaplains, social workers, volunteers, and support staff—all working together to provide compassionate, whole-person care.
To mark this month, we asked our team three questions about their work. Their answers capture the heart of hospice care.
1. What do you find most fulfilling about hospice work?
For our staff, fulfillment comes from being there when it matters most:
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“That moment when a patient, caregiver, or loved one visibly relaxes because they know they can rely on us.” —Simran (Physician)
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“We have the opportunity to work with individuals who are in a really sensitive time in their life, but it’s also an appreciative time. It’s a reminder of how short life is—and how much life should be enjoyed every moment!” —Ariel (Grief Counselor)
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“The one thing I find most fulfilling is the peace and relief patients and families tell me they feel after my visit. They know they’re not alone.” —Mary (Admissions Nurse)
2. What about your work brings you the most joy?
Every day, our interdisciplinary team works together to make life better for patients and families. The joy comes from connection, care, and the small moments that make a lasting difference:
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“The level of care everyone brings to the organization. Everyone wants HOP to succeed, and it shows!” —Ian (Information Technology)
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“Hospice allows me to give people their voices back when they no longer have them and often need them the most! I can communicate their needs and ease their suffering.” —Ruth (Nurse)
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“Knowing that I made a difference in someone’s day brings me the most joy—whether it’s helping them bathe, sitting down and talking, or just being there. Some days we might be the only people they see.” —Tina (Hospice Aide)
3. What do you wish people better understood about hospice care?
Despite the vital support hospice provides, misconceptions still exist. Many people think of hospice as “giving up” or only about the final days of life—but it is so much more. Our team hopes the community sees the true scope of what we do:
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“Hospice care is so much more than medical care; it is whole-person care in the final stages of life.” —Simran (Physician)
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“I wish people thought of hospice as support for themselves and their families as they live and love each other through a stressful situation instead of just as ‘The End.’ There’s so much opportunity to focus on loving each other if you have the support you need.” —Lara (Performance Improvement)
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“Hospice is a holistic approach of support for families as well as the patient. We help families focus on what matters most and give patients a feeling of control by setting goals based on what’s important to them.” —Mary (Admissions Nurse)
Our Services and Nonprofit Mission
At Hospice of the Piedmont, we provide both hospice and palliative care services, offering comprehensive support for patients and families alike. Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for those with serious illnesses, while hospice care brings comfort and dignity in life’s final stages.
As a nonprofit organization, our focus has always been on people, not profit. Donations, volunteers, and community support allow us to provide care for every patient, ensuring that everyone receives compassion, expertise, and respect—regardless of ability to pay.
Celebrating 45 years of Caring
This November, as we honor Hospice & Palliative Care Month and our 45th anniversary, we celebrate our dedicated team, the patients and families we serve, and the community that supports us. Through fulfillment, joy, and deep understanding of what hospice care truly is, our team continues to bring comfort, dignity, and compassion to every patient and family we are privileged to serve.
