November is Hospice and Palliative Care Month, a period to raise awareness about the importance of hospice and palliative care services, and honor the health care professionals who provide them.
“Hospice care helps patients and their families make their way through this difficult time with dignity, and maintain comfort during the last stages of life,” said Ginny Dyer, executive director of Hospice of Cumberland County. “Many of us will need hospice services at some point, and it takes special people to provide these services.”
Jimmy Carter was the first to announce National Hospice and Palliative Care Month in 1978. Dyer said it was started to recognize the work done by those who provide end of life care, and to raise awareness of the hospice movement as it started to grow.
“There are many ways to support Hospice & Palliative Care Month,” Dyer said. Some of the ways she recommends include:
Talk to loved ones about their wishes for end-of-life care.Support hospice and palliative care workers and organizations through donation or volunteering.Help raise awareness about hospice and palliative care.
Hospice of Cumberland County is the only nonprofit hospice agency in Cumberland County, and it has served the community for more than 36 years.
“If you would like information about hospice services, give Hospice of Cumberland County a call at 931-484-4748, or call our admission hotline at 931-335-2223,” Dyer said. “You can also visit our website at cumberlandhospice.org.”