National Hospice and Palliative Care Month

“It’s about how you live.”

Every day matters. For people approaching end of life, this takes on new meaning: every minute counts. Hospice and palliative care strives to ensure that this time is full and rewarding; this is why programs and activities from art and music therapy to reiki and massage are so critical. November marks National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, and the theme – “It’s about how you live” – is a poignant reminder of the need for this type of quality care.

At Hospice of the North Coast and Pacifica House, we strive to provide care and comfort when there is no cure. Every individual has the right to die without pain and with dignity. This  month of awareness and action reinforces our mission to:

• Educate people about their options and encourage advanced planning.
• Ensure people with life-limiting illnesses live fully and receive the care and support they need.
• Provide coordinated care in collaboration with doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, therapists, spiritual/religious providers, and other important stakeholders – including, and especially, the patients and their families.
• Deliver effective pain management and symptom control to help patients live their final days and moments fully.

Throughout the United States, 1.65 million people with life-limiting illnesses find comfort and care through hospice programs. This saves the Medicare system more than $2 billion; more importantly, it delivers the targeted and compassionate care these individuals, and their families, need.

To recognize this month of action, we encourage you to check out informative resources from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and participate on social media (#hospicemonth, #moremoments, and #WeHonorVets).