November highlights nation's hospice care

Recent surveys show that more than 90 percent of Idahoans wish to die at home yet less than one third actually do.

Most unfortunate yet is the fact that only one third of our residents who die each year receive hospice care.

This month is National Hospice/Palliative Care Month. Awareness is critical for our community.  You can help make the difference. Below is a proclamation from Gov. Butch Otter.

National Hospice/Pallative Care Month - November 2008

Dignity, Hope, Love

Proclamation

Whereas, hospice and palliative care provides patients and families the highest quality care during life-limiting illness and at the end of life, through pain management and symptom control, caregiver training and assistance, and emotional and spiritual support, allowing patients to live fully up until the final moments, surrounded and supported by the faces of loved ones, friends, and committed caregivers;

Whereas, last year, more than 1.4 million Americans living with life-limiting illness, and their families, received care from hospice and palliative care programs in communities throughout the United States, including thousands in Idaho;

Whereas, professional and compassionate hospice staff - including physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, counselors, health aides, and clergy - provide comprehensive care focused on the wishes of each individual patient;

Whereas, more than 400,000 trained volunteers contribute 18 million hours of service to hospice program annually;

Whereas, providing high-quality hospice and palliative care reaffirms our belief in the essential dignity of every person, regardless of age, health, or social status, and that every stage of human life deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and care;

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 I, C.L. "Butch" Otter, governor of the state of Idaho, do hereby proclaim November 2008 as Hospice/Palliative Care Month in Idaho 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.

DEBRA KELLERMAN

Bonner County Hospice