November is National Hospice & Palliative Care Awareness Month
Clearwater, Fla. (November 2, 2015) – For most people, death remains a taboo subject. Consequently, many patients and their families remain reluctant to even discuss hospice or palliative care. While most people would prefer to pass away in their own homes, the norm is still that many terminally-ill patients do so in a hospital. As November marks National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, Suncoast Hospice, a member of Empath Health, is seeking to change this with a transformative campaign.
Research has shown that a vast majority of those who have had an experience with hospice care have a very positive perception of the programs’ offerings. But many others who have not had a direct encounter with hospice have questions, fears and misconceptions, likely preventing them and their families from taking advantage of the many benefits it offers at the end of life.
In an effort to shatter the myths and misconceptions of hospice care, Suncoast Hospice has launched an instrumental campaign, called “What does hospice mean to you?” The campaign encourages Tampa Bay community members whose lives have been touched by hospice care, to take a “selfie” with a short description that represents what hospice means to them, and then share the photo to Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #HospiceMeans2Me.
To kick-off the campaign, staff and volunteers at Suncoast Hospice have submitted their “selfies” with words and phrases including:
- You are not alone
- Choices
- Ultimate compassion and dignity
- Hope for family
- Life changing
- Comfort, love, peace
- Caring
- Purpose
- Doing the kindest thing
- Helping others
“So many of our friends, colleagues and neighbors just don’t realize how beneficial hospice care really is, which is why this campaign is so important,” says Rafael J. Sciullo, president and CEO of Empath Health.
Empath Health will share campaign submissions to their Facebook and Twitter accounts:
- Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/suncoasthospice.org
- Suncoast Hospice’s Twitter page: https://twitter.com/suncoasthospice
About Empath Health
Empath Health is a non-profit integrated network of care that provides expert, life-changing health care to those with chronic and advanced illnesses. Empath Health includes hospice, palliative home health and physician services, independent living assistance and day care for seniors, HIV services and advance care planning. Contact Empath Health at 727-467-7423 or EmpathHealth.org.
About Suncoast Hospice
Suncoast Hospice was established in 1977 by a group of volunteers who realized the value of hospice care and wanted to bring it to their community. As a member of Empath Health, we are a non-profit organization that provides care, compassion and comfort to thousands of Pinellas County residents. Contact Suncoast Hospice at 727-467-7423 or EmpathHealth.org.