Comfort, dignity and personal choice become especially important when someone faces a life-limiting illness. Hospice services focus on relieving pain, managing symptoms and supporting patients and their families rather than pursuing curative treatment. Care may take place at home, in a nursing facility or at a dedicated inpatient center, depending on medical needs. The Best of the Best Reader's Choice Awards recognizes Ohio Valley organizations providing end-of-life health care and family support.
Valley Hospice provides end-of-life care throughout the Ohio Valley, helping patients manage serious illnesses while remaining in familiar surroundings whenever possible. Its interdisciplinary team includes physicians, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, spiritual counselors, therapists, grief counselors and volunteers. The organization cares for patients with conditions such as cancer, dementia, ALS, congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Services include pain and symptom management, routine home care, continuous care during medical crises, inpatient care and caregiver respite. Valley Hospice also operates the Mary Jane Brooks Care Center North in Steubenville and Liza's Place Care Center South in Wheeling. Its grief counseling services extend beyond patients' immediate families to support community members coping with loss.
Amedisys offers home health, hospice and palliative care services through a national network that includes operations in the Ohio Valley. Founded in 1982, the company provides hospice services focused on physical comfort, emotional well-being and spiritual support for people with terminal illnesses. Its hospice teams include nurses, aides, medical social workers, chaplains, volunteers and bereavement professionals who coordinate care with patients' physicians. Depending on individual needs, services can include routine home visits, continuous care during symptom crises, inpatient care and temporary respite for family caregivers. Amedisys also provides bereavement support for up to 13 months after a patient's death. Families considering the Wheeling location should confirm which hospice services are available through that particular office.
Liza's Place Care Center South provides inpatient, residential and respite services for Valley Hospice patients in Wheeling, West Virginia. The facility features 12 private rooms, each with a private bathroom, along with screened patios, a garden, family kitchen, chapel, library and spa. Family members can prepare meals in the shared kitchen and stay overnight in patient rooms. Children and pets are welcome to visit around the clock. Specially trained hospice professionals provide 24-hour nursing care for patients whose symptoms or personal circumstances make remaining at home difficult. The center offers general inpatient care when pain or other symptoms require intensive management, along with short-term residential arrangements and caregiver respite.
SouthernCare Hospice Services operates in Wintersville, Ohio, as part of the Gentiva family of hospice providers. Its care teams include physicians, nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains and volunteers who address patients' physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Services include individualized pain and symptom management, emotional counseling, spiritual care and short-term respite assistance for family caregivers. SouthernCare also offers bereavement support for up to 13 months following a patient's death. Its hospice services can support patients in private residences, assisted living communities, nursing facilities and other appropriate settings. The organization participates in specialized care initiatives for veterans, including assistance with benefits, recognition ceremonies and veteran-to-veteran volunteer support.
Visiting Angels provides nonmedical home care throughout the Upper Ohio Valley, including assistance for individuals approaching the end of life. Unlike a licensed medical hospice provider, the agency focuses on practical and personal support that can complement professional hospice services. Caregivers help with bathing, dressing, mobility, meal preparation, light housekeeping and companionship, allowing family members to spend more time with their loved ones. The agency also offers respite services that give relatives temporary relief from daily caregiving responsibilities. Its end-of-life support can include assistance with household routines and personal care while hospice clinicians manage medical symptoms. Flexible scheduling allows families to arrange support around changing needs and existing care plans.
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