WORLD HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE DAY

(Last Updated On: November 8, 2022)

On the second Saturday in October, World Hospice and Palliative Care Day promotes the goal of improving the quality of life for people affected by serious medical conditions. It is also a day to show support for hospice and palliative care around the world.

Both hospice and palliative care have to do with a person’s end-of-life care. Pain and symptom relief are both involved in these types of care. However, there are some major differences between the two.
Hospice care is provided when a person has six months or less to live and is also called compassionate comfort care. The goal is to keep the patient as comfortable as possible as their life comes to an end. Patients can receive hospice care in the home, assisted living facility, or the hospital.

Palliative care is provided at any time during the patient’s diagnosis. In some instances, patients receive palliative care during curative treatment. In most cases, a hospital setting is the only place patients can receive palliative care.

Some of the most common conditions that require either hospice or palliative care include:

Cancer
Kidney failure
Heart failure
Chronic lung disease
Neurodegenerative diseases

Unfortunately, in some parts of the world, hospice and palliative care services are not easily accessible. About 60 percent of the world’s dying population could benefit from these services. Without these services, terminal patients go through unnecessary or undertreated pain. For these reasons, healthcare providers across the globe understand the importance of hospice and palliative care.

HOW TO OBSERVE #HospiceAndPalliativeCareDay

Many hospice and palliative care organizations hold a variety of events on this day. These events focus on the importance of hospice and palliative care. Events include webinars, live discussions, film festivals, concerts, walks, community breakfasts, and conferences.

To participate:

Learn more about the importance of hospice and palliative care.
If you or your loved one has had experience with hospice or palliative care, share your story.
Watch a movie about end-life life experiences such as End Game, Defining Hope, and The Nurse with the Purple Hair.
Thank a hospice nurse or palliative care healthcare professional for all that they do.

Share this important day on social media with #HospiceAndPalliativeCareDay or #WHAPCD