Liberty Hospice Wins Silver Award in Raleigh’s Best Competition
We are thrilled to announce that Liberty Hospice won the Silver Award for Best Hospice in The News & Observer’s Raleigh’s Best competition.
This achievement marks the third consecutive year (2024, 2025 and 2026) that the Raleigh community has recognized our hospice care team for excellence. Having previously earned the Silver Award in 2024 and the Bronze Award in 2025, achieving the Silver Award this year highlights our team’s tireless commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care to families throughout Raleigh, Wendell and the greater Triangle area.
A Message of Gratitude from Our Leadership
Receiving this honor from the community we serve every day means the world to our team.
“Being recognized by our community for the third year in a row is an incredible honor and one that I am truly grateful for,” shared Liberty Hospice Administrator Kehinde Peralte. “This recognition reflects the compassion, dedication and commitment our Liberty Hospice team brings to the patients and families we are privileged to serve each day. I am extremely proud of our team and thankful to be part of an organization that remains committed to providing exceptional care and supporting our communities when they need us most. Most importantly, we are grateful to our community for continuing to place their trust in Liberty Hospice.”
Why Raleigh Families Trust Liberty Hospice
At Liberty Hospice, our mission centers on delivering expert, person-centered care that supports individuals and their loved ones through life’s most delicate moments. Every hospice journey is unique, which is why our care plans are fully customized to meet individual medical, emotional and personal preferences.
Our comprehensive hospice services include:
- Expert Symptom and Pain Management: Ensuring every patient experiences physical comfort, peace and dignity
- Emotional and Spiritual Support: Guiding individuals and families with compassionate counseling tailored to their spiritual and emotional needs
- Family Counseling and Bereavement Support: Standing alongside family members to provide education, comfort and ongoing guidance
As part of Liberty Health, a family-owned healthcare organization serving Carolinians since 1875, we draw upon a 150-year legacy of trusted community care.
Thank You to Our Triangle Community
Awards like this are only possible because of the dedication of our hospice team and the deep trust placed in us by local families. Thank you to everyone who voted in The News & Observer’s Raleigh's Best competition and to the readers who continue to recognize Liberty Hospice as a leading care provider in North Carolina.
If you or a loved one are exploring hospice care options or need advice on qualifying for services, our team is always here to listen and help.
- Call Us for Support or Referrals: (800) 999-9883
- Request a Consultation: Visit our Free Consultation Page
- Learn More About Our Services: Explore Liberty Hospice Care
About Liberty Home Care and Hospice:
Liberty Home Care and Hospice is a part of Liberty Health, a family-owned company that has provided continuum of care services across the Carolinas and beyond since 1875. We are a leading provider of home health, palliative and hospice care throughout North Carolina. We also provide home health care in select counties in South Carolina and Virginia. For additional information about our locations and our comprehensive services designed to meet the evolving needs of our patients, please visit our website or call (800) 999-9883.
Understanding Hospice Eligibility for Dementia
When a loved one is living with dementia, knowledge empowers families to navigate each stage of the journey with greater confidence. From understanding symptoms to planning for future care needs, staying informed can make a meaningful difference, especially when it becomes time to consider supportive services like hospice care.
At Liberty Home Care and Hospice, we believe every stage of the journey deserves a tailored approach that prioritizes dignity, comfort and connection. If you are wondering whether hospice might be the right next step for your loved one, here is what you need to know about eligibility and the specialized support available.
When is it Time for Hospice?
Hospice is not about "giving up.” It is about shifting the focus to quality of life. For families living with advanced dementia, hospice provides a specialized layer of support that standard care often cannot match.
In North Carolina, 17 percent of hospice patients have dementia as their primary diagnosis. Because dementia is a progressive disease, it can be difficult for families to know exactly when a loved one meets the clinical criteria for hospice enrollment.
Understanding Hospice Eligibility (The FAST Scale)
Healthcare professionals often use the Functional Assessment Staging Tool (FAST) to track the progression of Alzheimer’s and determine hospice eligibility.
Generally, an individual with a primary diagnosis of dementia is eligible for hospice when they reach FAST Stage 7 or higher. Signs of Stage 7 include:
- Limited Verbal Communication: Being able to speak only about a half-dozen intelligible words throughout the day
- Loss of Mobility: The inability to walk without personal assistance
- Inability to Sit Up: Requiring support to sit up or hold their head up independently
- Loss of a Smile: The individual can no longer smile
Other Signs of Significant Functional Decline
While the FAST scale is a vital guide, our team also looks at other clinical indicators of decline that suggest a prognosis of six months or less. These indicators include:
- Nutritional Challenges: Progressive weight loss or difficulty swallowing
- Recurrent Infections: Frequent bouts of pneumonia or urinary tract infections
- Frequent Hospitalizations: Multiple emergency room visits or hospital stays within a short period
Liberty Hospice’s Specialized Dementia Care Program
When a loved one enters our Dementia Care Program, they receive care that goes beyond managing physical symptoms. We understand that in advanced stages, behaviors like agitation or anxiety are often a form of communication signaling unmet needs.
Our person-centered approach uses non-pharmacological comfort strategies to manage these symptoms without relying solely on medication. These include:
- Music Therapy: Using familiar songs from the patient's generation to evoke peaceful memories
- Aromatherapy: Utilizing calming scents like lavender to reduce distress
- Sensory Stimulation: Providing weighted or "fidget" blankets for a sense of security
- Pet Therapy: Offering simulated or real animal interaction for emotional connection
We Are Here to Support You
Navigating the final stages of dementia is one of the hardest challenges a family can face. If you notice your loved one’s care needs are increasing, or if you feel burnt out as a caregiver, don’t wait to ask for help. Discussing hospice options early allows you to put a plan in place that ensures your loved one is surrounded by comfort and compassion.
For a free consultation or to learn more about our hospice services, visit our website or call us at (800) 999-9883.
About Liberty Home Care and Hospice:
Liberty Home Care and Hospice is a part of Liberty Health, a family-owned company that has provided continuum of care services across the Carolinas and beyond since 1875. We are a leading provider of home health, palliative and hospice care throughout North Carolina. We also provide home health care in select counties in South Carolina and Virginia. For additional information about our locations and our comprehensive services designed to meet the evolving needs of our patients, please visit our website or call (800) 999-9883.