Hospice Care in Rural Southern Ohio: Compassion Close to Home

Life in southern Ohio’s smaller communities is built on connection, independence, and the comfort of familiar surroundings. At ViaQuest Hospice, we believe that end-of-life care should honor these values, not disrupt them. Our commitment is to bring compassionate, expert hospice services directly to your doorstep, ensuring that families in rural areas receive the support they need without having to leave the homes and towns they love.

Choosing hospice care is a profound decision, and for those living in the countryside, the question of access can add another layer of uncertainty. We are here to bridge that distance.

This article explores how ViaQuest delivers dedicated hospice care throughout southern Ohio, from managing the logistics of rural travel to embracing the unique strengths of close-knit community support.

The Unique Strengths of Rural Hospice Care

Receiving care at home is often a primary goal for hospice patients, and this is especially meaningful in a rural setting. The peace of being in one’s own bed, surrounded by familiar fields or gardens, is a powerful source of comfort. Beyond the physical home, rural life is defined by community. Neighbors know each other, local church groups offer support without being asked, and a sense of shared history creates a strong safety net.

ViaQuest’s approach to rural hospice care is built on respecting and integrating with this existing network. Our care teams don’t just see a patient; they see a valued member of a community. We work alongside family, friends, and local organizations to create a circle of support that honors your loved one’s life and legacy right where they belong.

How Rural Hospice Visits and Support Work

A common concern for families is how our team can provide consistent, reliable care when homes are miles apart. At ViaQuest, we have dedicated teams who live in and understand the regions they serve. They are experts at navigating the backroads and managing their schedules to provide attentive and responsive care.

Our services for rural southern Ohio include:

  • Scheduled Visits: Nurses, aides, social workers, and spiritual care coordinators schedule regular visits based on the patient’s personalized plan of care. We coordinate these visits to be as efficient and predictable as possible.
  • Responsive Support: We provide 24/7 on-call support for urgent needs. Our team will talk you through the situation over the phone and dispatch a nurse for an in-person visit when necessary.
  • Equipment and Medication Delivery: Distance is not a barrier to comfort. We coordinate the delivery of all necessary medical equipment—such as a hospital bed, oxygen, or walker—directly to your home. Prescriptions related to the hospice diagnosis are also covered and delivered, removing the burden of travel for families.

Providing hospice care in rural settings involves navigating challenges like travel distances and staffing. According to the Rural Health Information Hub, overcoming these hurdles is essential to ensure equitable access to quality end-of-life care. Our model is specifically designed to meet this need head-on.

Embracing Community Connections in Small Towns

In smaller communities, support often comes from every direction. We recognize that the local church, the neighbor who drops off a meal, and the friends who stop by to share stories are all vital parts of the care team. Our social workers and spiritual care coordinators are skilled at connecting families with these existing local resources.

By fostering these relationships, we help strengthen the natural bonds that make rural communities so resilient. Our role is to provide the clinical expertise and structured support that complements the incredible compassion already present in the heart of southern Ohio.


Navigating end-of-life care in a rural area shouldn’t be a source of stress. With ViaQuest Hospice, your family can focus on what truly matters: making every moment together meaningful, supported by a team that understands the unique beauty and challenges of life in the country.

If you have questions about receiving hospice services in southern Ohio’s smaller communities, our team is here to provide clarity and support. To speak with a care coordinator and verify service availability in your specific area, please call ViaQuest Hospice at 855.289.1722. You can also download our Complete Guide to Hospice Care for comprehensive information about the services available to you and your family.

Key Takeaways

  • ViaQuest is committed to making expert hospice care accessible to families living in the rural communities of southern Ohio.
  • Our care model includes reliable delivery of medical equipment and medications directly to your home, overcoming logistical challenges.
  • We honor and integrate with the existing strengths of rural life, including the powerful support from neighbors, friends, and local community groups.

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Gifts in Kind

Your in-kind donations provide direct comfort to our patients and support to their families. We gratefully accept items such as comfort blankets, pillows, medical equipment, books, puzzles, and other items that bring joy and comfort during difficult times. Contact us to learn about our current needs and donation guidelines.

Mail a Check

Prefer to give by check? Mail your donation directly to our foundation office. Your contribution will be processed securely and put to immediate use supporting our patients and families. Every check, regardless of size, represents your commitment to compassionate end-of-life care in our community.

Mail donations to:
ViaQuest Foundation
525 Metro Place N, Dublin OH 43017

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Support ViaQuest Hospice every time you shop at Kroger with no additional cost to you. Simply link your Kroger Plus Card to our organization, and a percentage of your eligible purchases will be donated to support our hospice services. It’s an easy way to make a difference while taking care of your everyday needs.

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General Inpatient Care (GIP)

 Covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans, this level involves moving you to a contracted hospital, hospice house, inpatient unit, or specialized nursing facility bed. This is used for acute symptom management that cannot be effectively achieved in your home setting, with treatment strictly focused on symptoms related to your hospice diagnosis, demonstrating our determination in ensuring optimal comfort and peaceful transitions.

Inpatient Respite Care (IRC)

Provided at a contracted nursing facility for up to five days, Inpatient Respite Care offers temporary relief for your primary caregiver—giving them the rest they need while ensuring you receive continuous expert hospice care. This level of care offers pure relief and peace of mind for families.

Continuous Home Care (CHC)

When a patient experiences a period of crisis with severe symptoms (such as uncontrolled pain or acute shortness of breath), Continuous Home Care can be provided. This involves a higher level of skilled nursing care delivered continuously in the home for a short period (typically 8-24 hours per day) until the crisis is resolved, showcasing our team’s resolute commitment and dedication to restoring comfort and stability.

Routine Home Care (RHC)

This is the most common level of hospice care, provided in the patient’s chosen residence—your own home, a nursing facility, an assisted living facility, or a hospice house. It includes intermittent visits from our hospice team (nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, volunteers) to provide symptom management, personal care, emotional support, and education for caregivers, delivered with gentle guidance and a focus on maximizing daily comfort and quality of life in familiar surroundings.