Comfort, Love and Respect that Hospice Offers is Focus of November’s National Hospice and Palliative Care Month

“Comfort. Love. Respect.” 2012 Theme Inspired by Actress and Hospice Advocate Torrey DeVitto

 

Every year, more than 1.58 million people living with a life-limiting illness receive care from hospice palliative care providers in the U.S., reports the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. During National Hospice and Palliative Care Month this November, providers across the country are raising awareness of the many benefits of hospice palliative care.

More than traditional medical care

Hospice palliative care provides expert pain management, symptom control, emotional support, and spiritual care to patients and family caregivers when a cure is not possible. Care is provided by a highly trained team of professionals and volunteers.

Most hospice care in the U.S. is provided in the home – allowing people to be with their families and loved ones in comfortable surroundings at the end of life.

Research by NHPCO has found that 94 percent of families who had a loved one cared for by hospice rated the care as very good to excellent.

 Hospice makes sure that people receive comfort, love and respect during one of life’s most significant experiences – the journey at life’s end,” said J. Donald Schumacher,PsyD, president and CEO of NHPCO. “The compassionate way that hospice helps maximize the quality of life is at the center of this year’s hospice month theme.”

DeVitto creates theme

The 2012 outreach theme for National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, “Comfort. Love. Respect.” is based on the firsthand experience of actress and NHPCO Hospice Ambassador Torrey DeVitto who created the phrase for a t-shirt she designed for NHPCO and the National Hospice Foundation earlier this year.
 
DeVitto, widely recognized for her roles on the hit television series “The Vampire Diaries” and “Pretty Little Liars” has been a hospice volunteer for five years and became NHPCO’s ambassador in 2011.

“As a hospice volunteer myself, I’ve seen firsthand how dedicated individuals provide companionship, support, and a shoulder to lean on at a time when it’s needed most,” remarked DeVitto. “I’m working to help younger people understand the value of hospice and hopefully to get involved as volunteers with their local hospices.”

Information about hospice, palliative care, and advance care planning is available from NHPCO’s Caring Connections at www.caringinfo.org or by calling the HelpLine at 800-658-8898.

 

Resources for outreach

• NHPCO members will find materials for hospice and palliative care month at nhpco.org/outreach.
• Non-member organizations will find some hospice and palliative care month materials at CaringInfo.org/hospicemonth.

The “Comfort. Love. Respect.” t-shirt designed by Torrey DeVitto is available for purchase from the NHPCO Marketplace www.nhpco.org/Marketplace  or by calling 1-800-646-6460.  All proceeds from the t-shirt sales benefit national hospice outreach efforts.

 

Hospice Ambassador Torrey DeVitto.