On October 12th, the world unites to observe the important day of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, which is meant to raise awareness and understanding of these topics and advocate for access to these services worldwide. This day helps to highlight the critical role these services play in increasing the quality of life of people with serious illnesses and helping their families and friends. Here at Senior Industry Services, we focus on the needs of seniors, and this day holds particular relevance because many of the people we serve will, at some point in their journey, find the need for hospice or palliative care. If you or a loved one of yours needs this care or are just curious to learn more, keep reading!
Why World Hospice and Palliative Care Day Matters
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day sends vital awareness into improving the lives of people affected by life-threatening illnesses. This day voices the right of those people to receive appropriate care that best suits their wants and needs. The day was created by Sheila Hurton in 1989 and has held events and concerts, such as Voices for Hospices to raise awareness for the holiday. The day soon went on and grew into an international event that we celebrate annually.
This day of awareness is greatly needed, as it serves as a beacon to shed light on how hospice and palliative care help people live in dignity and comfort. Many need these services, sometimes due to illnesses, age, or other issues, but often don’t know how to go about receiving care due to a lack of awareness, resources, or misconceptions of what hospice or palliative care can offer.
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day allows the opportunity to:
Educate: Teaching and informing others about these services can help families make informed decisions concerning their loved one’s care.
Reduce stigma: Sometimes, hospice is seen as a “giving up,” but this day helps change that perception to one of compassion and a choice that improves the quality of life.
Advocate: This entails raising awareness for improved access to care in any region or community where hospice or palliative care is less accessible.
What Is Hospice and Palliative Care?
Hospice care is given to people with terminal illnesses who are near the end of life. The emphasis is on comfort, dignity, and quality of life without curative treatments. A hospice care team may include professionals like doctors, nurses, social workers, and volunteers who provide medical care, pain management, emotional support, and spiritual care or conversations. Most of the time, a patient is eligible for hospice care if his or her life expectancy is six months or less.
In contrast to hospice care, palliative care is initiated at any time in the course of a critical illness and may be provided concurrently with treatments focusing on recovery. The goal is for symptom relief or reduction to help increase the quality of life for the patient. Other support this care provides includes giving the families and caregivers resources, counseling, and guidance.
How You Can Support
There are many ways in which you can participate in the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, even at the local level:
Learn: Take the time to educate yourself and your family about hospice and palliative care options in your area.
Advocate: Share information with others about the benefits of services or advocate for improving access.
Volunteer: Most hospice organizations depend on volunteers, ranging in many support services from companionship visits to administrative tasks.
Donate: You can donate funds to your local hospice organization as it works to continue providing care to those in need.
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day reminds us that dying people have a right to dignity and care. By educating ourselves on, embracing, and advocating for hospice and palliative care, we may all help toward the worthy goal of allowing everyone to live their final days as comfortably and supported as possible.
So, today let’s take a moment to bring awareness and support to these types of care and those who provide it worldwide.
Written for Senior Industry Services by Lauren Hope Bartling
