What hospice care is in Pennsylvania
Hospice care is comfort-focused care for patients with a serious illness and a prognosis of six months or less if the illness runs its expected course. The goal shifts from cure to comfort — managing pain, controlling symptoms, supporting the family, and letting the patient spend their final months at home or in a hospice residence.
In Pennsylvania, a hospice aide is most commonly a Home Health Aide (HHA) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). The aide visits 2–5 times a week and handles the hands-on work: bathing, repositioning, toileting, vital signs, skin care, and the human presence that families value most. An RN case manager writes the plan of care, a hospice physician supervises, and a social worker and chaplain round out the interdisciplinary team.
Pennsylvania has a mature hospice infrastructure. Long-standing non-profit hospices (Bayada, Hospice & Community Care, Trustbridge Hospice, several Penn Medicine and UPMC-affiliated programs, and many smaller faith-based hospices) operate alongside national for-profit chains. With the third-oldest population in the country (median age ~41), demand for hospice aides is consistently strong across Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Allentown metros.
How much hospice caregivers earn in Pennsylvania
BLS data puts Pennsylvania Home Health and Personal Care Aide pay at a median around $15–$15.50/hr, with the 75th percentile near $17/hr. Hospice aides earn $1–$3/hr above the home-health baseline because Medicare per-diem reimbursement allows agencies to pay competitively.
Expect $16–$21/hr for HHAs in hospice roles in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, $15–$19/hr in Harrisburg/Allentown/Lancaster, and slightly less in smaller rural markets. Hospice CNAs typically earn $19–$25/hr in Philly and Pittsburgh; CHPNA-certified aides at top non-profits can reach $24–$27/hr.
Most Pennsylvania hospices add an evening differential ($1–$2/hr after 6 PM), a weekend differential ($2–$3/hr), and pay Continuous Care shifts (the long bedside vigils when a patient is actively dying) at time-and-a-half or a flat $25–$35/hr premium.
Per-visit pay is offered by some PA hospices: $30–$45 per aide visit plus mileage reimbursement (IRS rate, currently 67¢/mile). Per-visit works best for aides with tight territories; hourly is generally better for rural assignments with long drives.
Typical hourly pay in Pennsylvania: $16–$21/hr (HHA) · $19–$25/hr (hospice CNA)
Who pays for hospice care in Pennsylvania
Hospice in Pennsylvania is funded almost entirely through public and commercial insurance, with Medicare carrying the bulk of the load. PA Medicaid also has a hospice benefit, and the state hosts large veteran populations served by VA-funded hospice.
What a hospice aide does day to day
A Pennsylvania hospice aide typically carries 12–16 patients with 5–8 home visits per day, 45–60 minutes each, plus documentation between visits.
- Bathing, oral care, hair and nail care, and skin assessment
- Repositioning bed-bound patients every two hours to prevent pressure injuries
- Toileting, incontinence care, and changing soiled bedding
- Vital signs (T, P, R, BP) per the plan of care
- Monitoring pain, restlessness, breathing changes, and signs of active dying
- Light meal prep and feeding assistance for patients still eating
- Emotional presence — sitting, listening, supporting family
- Documenting every visit in the agency EMR (tablet point-of-care)
- Calling the on-call RN immediately for actively dying patients or uncontrolled symptoms
- Post-mortem care after death — washing, positioning, and dressing the body before the funeral home arrives
Certifications and training to become a hospice aide in Pennsylvania
PA hospice aides meet the federal Medicare HHA training standard. Most come in via the Pennsylvania CNA route because PA CNA training is widely available and the credential is portable between settings.
Family member needs care? You may be able to be paid.
Pennsylvania has several Medicaid and VA programs that let family members get paid to provide care at home — including hospice care. See the full state guide:
Read the Pennsylvania caregiver pay guide →FAQs about hospice caregiver jobs in Pennsylvania
Is hospice work emotionally hard?
Yes — you will be present at many deaths, typically 2–4 per month. PA hospices generally offer monthly bereavement debriefs, paid mental-health days, and access to the chaplain or social worker for staff. Most aides who stay past the first six months describe the work as deeply meaningful.
What is the difference between hospice and home health?
Home health is short-term, recovery-focused care — wound care, PT, post-op monitoring. Hospice is end-of-life comfort care for patients not expected to recover. Same HHA training in Pennsylvania; very different mindset. Hospice visits are usually longer (45–60 min) and more relational.
Can a family member be paid as a hospice aide?
Not directly through Medicare. But a family member can be paid separately for non-medical personal care through Pennsylvania Medicaid waivers (Community HealthChoices and OBRA Waiver) while the hospice agency provides the medical visits on top.
How long do hospice patients usually have left?
Pennsylvania hospice patients have a median length of stay around 18–20 days; mean is roughly 90 days because some patients stabilize and stay on service for many months. You will see a mix of patients in their final week and patients you visit for several months.
Do I need my own car?
Yes, for nearly every PA hospice job outside dense parts of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. You are driving to 5–8 homes per day. Mileage is reimbursed (IRS rate, currently 67¢/mile). A few city-center routes can be done by transit.
What happens when a patient dies on my shift?
You call the on-call RN. The RN comes to pronounce death, contacts the funeral home and physician. You perform post-mortem care: wash, remove medical devices, position, and dress the body before the funeral home arrives. PA hospices pay your full scheduled visit even if the patient dies in the first 15 minutes.
Is hospice aide work full-time or part-time?
Both. Full-time PA hospice aides carry 12–16 patients with 5–8 visits/day. Per-diem aides cover vacations and call-outs. Weekend-only roles are widely available at a $2–$3/hr premium.