*** Editor’s Note*** This article corrected a few issues with numbers that were brought to our attention on October 30, 2025.
Hospice of the Chesapeake, Maryland’s largest independent nonprofit hospice provider, announced Oct. 23, 2025, the acquisition of Partners in Care of Maryland, Inc., forming a new umbrella organization called Chesapeake Health Partners. The move combines hospice and palliative care with senior support services to address rising needs among the state’s aging population, particularly in Southern Maryland communities like Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.
The acquisition integrates Partners in Care’s nonprofit programs into Hospice of the Chesapeake’s operations while allowing the acquired group to maintain its name, mission, staff and volunteer base. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Leaders from both organizations described the partnership as a strategic response to demographic shifts, with nearly one in four Marylanders projected to reach age 65 or older by 2030.
Becky Miller, president and CEO of Hospice of the Chesapeake, emphasized the urgency. “That’s not just a statistic, it’s a call to action,” Miller said. “By coming together, we can ensure that older adults in our community continue to receive the care, support and connection they need to thrive.”
Brian Hahn, board chair for Partners in Care of Maryland, Inc., added that the collaboration strengthens community resources. “Together, we can build a stronger safety net for older adults, one that keeps people in their homes, connected to their neighbors and supported through every stage of aging and illness,” Hahn said.
Hospice of the Chesapeake delivers physical, emotional and spiritual support to patients with serious illnesses and their families, focusing on quality of life rather than curative treatment. Services include pain management, counseling and bereavement support, available in homes, nursing facilities or inpatient settings. In Southern Maryland, the organization operates the Charles County Inpatient Care Center at 2505 Davis Road in Waldorf, providing 7 beds for short-term symptom relief. It also partners with local providers, such as a recent Oct. 16, 2025, agreement with Southern Maryland House Calls to expand home-based palliative care in Calvert County. Palliative care, distinct from hospice, addresses symptoms and stress for those with chronic conditions, often alongside ongoing treatments.
Partners in Care of Maryland, Inc., based in Pasadena, specializes in non-medical assistance for adults 60 and older through its Service Exchange program. This time-banking model connects members who exchange services like transportation to medical appointments, minor home repairs, grocery shopping and social visits. Participants earn credits for help they provide, which they redeem for assistance when needed, fostering peer-to-peer connections without financial transactions. The program operates across Maryland, including Southern Maryland, where it supports independence amid limited public transit and family proximity.
Under Chesapeake Health Partners, the entities aim to coordinate services for seamless transitions, such as linking Service Exchange participants to palliative options as health needs evolve. Volunteers remain central, with Hospice of the Chesapeake relying on about 130 community members annually for companionship and administrative roles, while Partners in Care draws on roughly 300 volunteers for exchanges.
Maryland’s aging trends underscore the timing. The state’s 65-and-older population grew 3.35 percent from 2023 to 2024, outpacing the national average. In Southern Maryland, projections show sharper increases: Charles County’s senior population could rise 40 percent by 2040, and St. Mary’s 34 percent. St. Mary’s currently counts 15,711 residents 65 and older, or 13.74 percent of its total. The Tri-County Commission on Aging, covering Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s, coordinates regional efforts like meal delivery and caregiver training to address isolation and mobility challenges.
These counties, home to about 350,000 people combined, face unique pressures from rural landscapes and federal employment at sites like Naval Air Station Patuxent River, where retirees contribute to senior demographics. Housing assessments highlight vulnerabilities, with cost-burdened older renters in Maryland reaching 46 percent by 2022, a figure likely higher in Southern Maryland’s seasonal markets.
Hospice of the Chesapeake, founded in 1979, has expanded through prior acquisitions, including Calvert Hospice in 2022 and Hospice of Charles County in 2020, solidifying its regional footprint. It served more than 2,500 patients last year, with 80 percent of care delivered in homes. Partners in Care, established in 1993, has facilitated over 100,000 service exchanges since inception, emphasizing community reciprocity over professional intervention.
The new structure positions Chesapeake Health Partners to innovate amid state initiatives like Longevity Ready Maryland, a 10-year plan launched July 30, 2025, by Gov. Wes Moore to enhance senior supports, including nutrition aid for 127,000 older residents.
Miller framed the acquisition as forward-looking. “This is about hope, growth and community,” she said. “We’re honoring our roots while embracing new possibilities. Together as Chesapeake Health Partners, we’re committed to helping Marylanders age safely and independently in their own homes, supported by our expert care, resources and community connections.”
For referrals or inquiries, contact Hospice of the Chesapeake at 410-987-2003 or Partners in Care at 410-544-6200.
