FAMILY HOSPICE CARE RAISES AWARENESS DURING NATIONAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE MONTH

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and Family Hospice Care will be recognizing its Colleagues and Volunteers all month for the extraordinary compassionate care that is given to our Hospice patients and honoring the patients and families we serve. Family Hospice Care works hard all year round to make sure people know that support, comfort, respect, and dignity are available at a time when hope seems out of reach. Yet during November, we ramp up our efforts to raise awareness of the high-quality care that’s available during one of life’s most challenging times.

Dr. Howard Cohen, CMD, HMDC, Medical Director for Family Hospice Care shares, “There are a lot of myths about hospice. One myth is that most people don’t realize that hospice is about living not dying. That is to say, hospice focuses on quality of life for however long an individual has to live and we, as hospice providers, assist as best as we can with their goals and wishes.” Hospice and palliative care programs provide pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients and their families when a cure is not possible. Hospice care is provided wherever the patient may be: in their own home, a family member’s home, a nursing home, an assisted living facility, a board and care, and other facilities. Hospice and palliative care combines the highest level of quality medical care with the emotional and spiritual support that families need most when facing the end-of-life.

Through this specialized quality care, we see many patients and their families experience more meaningful moments together. Hospice helps them focus on LIVING despite a terminal diagnoses. Hospice is covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal, private insurance, and other forms of reimbursement. Trained healthcare providers take the time to talk with you and your family and help you understand your illness and what care options might be available. They make your wishes a priority and make sure you get the care you want and deserve. As Bev, one of Family Hospice Care’s volunteers notes, “I cannot express how rewarding it is to be a hospice volunteer. There is no better feeling than to be able to help and comfort someone in need. Being able to bring a little sunshine into my patient’s life or that of their family members is a wonderful feeling. Listening, responding and caring can mean so much to both my patients as well as their family members. It is a great gift to share!”

Nearly every significant accomplishment of hospice and palliative care is a result of cooperation, positive energy and learning from a real team effort. It is through teams and teamwork that Family Hospice Care has advanced their care and services, earning a reputation for delivering quality, compassionate care since 2006 throughout the Coachella Valley and Hi-Desert regions. FHC’s Management Team appreciates, and is grateful for, our many Colleagues and Volunteers who give of themselves daily providing care and compassion to our patients, their families, and their loved ones-AND each other. We have the opportunity to recognize and celebrate Hospice and Palliative care providers who live in our community, the nation, and around the world! If you or a loved one is facing a serious or life-limiting illness, the time to find out more about hospice care is right now.

To find more about Family Hospice Care, visit the Wellness Village. FHC joined the Wellness Village in October 2015 and is already highly recommended by local residents.