National Hospice and Palliative Care Month 2023

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and ProMedica is joining thousands of hospice and palliative care agencies across America to honor the millions of care team members who make a remarkable difference for the patients and families they serve.

Hospice and palliative care programs across the country are reaching out to raise awareness about hospice and palliative care. Hospice is not a place but high-quality care that enables patients and families to focus on living as fully as possible despite a life-limiting illness. Palliative care brings this holistic model of care to people earlier in the course of a serious illness.

This year's theme is "Courageous Conversations." It may be difficult to discuss death with ourselves, family, friends and doctors. However, having these conversations can mean the difference between having the type of death a patient wants – one that matches up with their values and desires – and one that doesn’t allow them to have a say in their own end of life journey. Throughout this month, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) is encouraging everyone to have these courageous conversations to start a meaningful dialogue on “dying a good death”.

Providing care to patients in their homes is a privilege to our teams. Patients are usually most comfortable at home surrounded by family and friends who give them the support they need to cope.

Throughout National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, we recognize the contributions of the professionals and volunteers who make hospice and palliative care possible for those suffering from a serious illness or those at the end of life. We promise to provide care that is comforting and compassionate; to respect patient and family choices; to unite with community partners in care; and to be accepting and supportive of patients wherever they are in life’s journey.