NATIONAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE MONTH
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month
Announced in 1978 by then President Jimmy Carter, the month was established to recognize the efforts of those who provide end-of-life care, and to help raise awareness of the growing hospice movement.
When the observance was first established, the number of hospice patients in the United States numbered in the thousands. Today hospice programs in the United States provide care to more than 1.65 million people.
The Importance of This Month
While HAPCM is a brief window of time meant to spotlight the importance of hospice and palliative care, helping the public understand the benefit of this type of serious-illness care and the importance of advance care planning are goals which our community should strive for year-round.
What are the benefits of hospice care?
The benefits of hospice care include:
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Allows nurses to manage pain and get physical symptoms under control.
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Gives chaplains the opportunity to address spiritual needs or suffering.
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Provides time for social workers to assist with emotional support and offer resources.
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Reduces crisis and trips to the hospital.
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Helps our care team get to know the patient and their family.
What are the benefits of advance care planning?
The benefits include:
- Helps ensure that patients receive care that is consistent with their preferences.
- Promotes patient-centered care by focusing on the patients’ personal preferences about their medical care and treatments.
- Enables healthcare professionals to conduct structured, meaningful conversations with patients about their wishes and preferences regarding treatment goals, preferences, and location of care.
Early Referrals
The earlier a referral to hospice is made, the sooner you can start taking advantage of all the benefits that hospice care has to offer and enhance the quality of life.
Five Wishes Advance Directive
Talk to your loved ones today about what matters most. The advance care planning program trusted by more than 40 million people.
Here stories of those who have benefitted from hospice care or used Five Wishes advance directives.