November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month
Hospice is a an important resource for those living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia.
Hospice and palliative care programs across the country are reaching out to raise awareness about hospice and palliative care. Doggies for Dementia Foundation with a mission to raise awareness through education highlights this important information as well.
Contrary to popular belief, hospice is a high quality care program enabling patients and families to live their best life while preparing for a ‘good death’ and NOT a place. There are some free-standing hospice facilities, however hospice is more of a program description supporting those at the end of their lives learning to live with a life-limiting illness. Palliative care brings a holistic model of care including body, mind and spirit to people earlier in the course of a serious illness.
“Every year, nearly 1.4 million people living with a life-limiting illness receive care from hospices in this country,” said Edo Banach, president and CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. “These highly trained professionals ensure that patients and families find dignity, respect and love during life’s most difficult journey.”
Hospice and palliative care programs provide a variety of services including pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support and spiritual care to patients and their families when a cure is not possible. Key here is FAMILY support. These programs combine the highest level of quality medical care with the emotional and spiritual support that families need most when facing a serious illness or the end of life.
Check out our BLOG with Yoli Campos Smith! We talk a lot about the various myths associated with hospice.
About Doggies for Dementia: Doggies for Dementia is a 501c3 corporation with a mission to provide beautiful experiences and memories for those impacted by dementia using photography. We are also advocates with sights on raising awareness through education, so nobody has to experience the pain of stigma, isolation and loneliness. Experts Dig in with Doggies for Dementia is our program with interesting and informative interviews with experts from all realms including family members and professional caregivers. Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and join us HERE!