NHPCO Recognizes National Hospice and Palliative Care Month
Immediate Release:
October 31, 2023
Courageous Conversations
(Alexandria, VA) – The beginning of November marks the start of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month (HAPCM), and this year’s theme is “Courageous Conversations.” Throughout the month, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) is encouraging everyone to engage in Courageous Conversations to start a meaningful dialogue on dying a good death.
In a culture that often teaches us to resist mortality and a healthcare system defined by interventionism, the seemingly simple act of having a conversation about dying can have a profound impact. What does death mean in my life? If I am faced with a terminal diagnosis, how would my values shape my end-of-life journey? How do I want my loved ones to engage with me toward the end of my life? It’s difficult to think about these questions but having these courageous conversations with ourselves, family, friends, and doctors 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.
“Throughout the month, NHPCO members and other organizations across the nation will raise awareness of the role that courageous conversations can have in helping patients with serious illness receive the right care at the right time, and helping their families’ know their loved ones are getting the care they want,” said NHPCO Interim CEO, Ben Marcantonio. “National Hospice and Palliative Care Month is an important opportunity to continue the national conversation, accelerated in part by former President Jimmy Carter’s decision to make his hospice election public, about the benefits of early access to goal-oriented serious-illness and end-of-life care.”
NHPCO encourages individuals and organizations to participate in a special HAPCM Social Media Action Day on Friday, November 3, 2023, using the hashtags #HAPCM and #CourageousConversations. NHPCO Members will find a range of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month outreach resources online in the Community Outreach Resource section of the website.
For more information on hospice, palliative care, advance care planning, and more, visit NHPCO’s consumer website, www.CaringInfo.org.
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About NHPCO
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) is the nation’s largest and oldest membership association for providers who care for people affected by serious and life-limiting illness. Our members deliver and expand access to high-quality, person-centered interdisciplinary care to millions of Americans. NHPCO provides education and resources to support that mission. Together with our advocacy partner, the Hospice Action Network (HAN), we serve as the leading voice advancing public policy to improve serious-illness and end-of-life care, while our CaringInfo program provides free resources to educate and empower patients and caregivers. nhpco.org
Press Contact:
Madison Summers
NHPCO Communications
571-412-3973