Given how healthcare is changing to encourage aging in place, chances are that you either know a home care worker, or you know someone who benefits directly from a home care worker.
As the baby boomers age, the home care industry is growing. Home care helpers are part of the overall “Care Team” that assists those who age in place. They are a vital part of each patient’s support team, as they often interact with patients at home on a daily basis, and can spot changes in mood and more. Home health nurses and workers are on the front lines of keeping their charges out of the hospitals and emergency rooms.
Along with Home Care Month, we recognize November as National Hospice Month as well. Earlier today, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization issued a Hospice Month Proclamation, which you can read in its entirety below:
NHPCO Issues Proclamation for November’s National Hospice Palliative Care Month
Hospice and Palliative Care providers across the country will participate in outreach and awareness efforts throughout November
(Alexandria, VA) – The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the nation’s oldest and largest leadership organization working on behalf of end-of-life care has issued the following proclamation officially recognizing November as National Hospice Palliative Care Month.
WHEREAS, hospice and palliative care empower people to live as fully as possible, surrounded and supported by family and loved ones, despite serious and life-limiting illness;
WHEREAS, hospice and palliative care bring patients and family caregivers the highest quality care delivered by an interdisciplinary team of skilled professionals that includes physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, counselors, health aides, spiritual care providers and others who make the wishes of each patient and family a priority;
WHEREAS, through pain management and symptom control, caregiver training and assistance, and emotional and spiritual support, allowing patients to live fully and make more meaningful moments until the end, surrounded and supported by the faces of loved ones, friends, and committed caregivers;
WHEREAS, each year, hospice saves Medicare more than $2 billion by providing solutions for physicians, care to patients and comfort to families anywhere, at any time.
WHEREAS, every year an estimated 1.6 million Americans living with life-limiting illness, and their families, received care from the nation’s hospice programs in communities throughout the United States;
WHEREAS, the most recent statistics report that more than 355,000 trained volunteers contributed 16 million hours of service to hospice programs last year;
WHEREAS, hospice and palliative care providers encourage all people to learn more about options of care and to share their wishes with family, loved ones, and their healthcare professionals;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the NHPCO Board of Directors do hereby proclaim November as National Hospice Palliative Care Month and encourage citizens to increase their understanding and awareness of care at the end of life and to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs.
