Preferred Hospice educates community

DEXTER -- November is national hospice and palliative care month, a time when care providers across the country are working to educate people about high quality end-of-life care.

Preferred Hospice, with offices in Misosuri, including Dexter, is part of a national campaign launched by National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization encouraging people to learn more about hospice before they are faced with a healthcare crisis.

"Hospice is not a place but a kind of care that provides pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support and spiritual care to patients and their families," said Leah Kelley, administrator. "For more than 30 years, hospice has brought dignity, hope and love to people."

NHPCO reports that 1.4 million patients were served by the nation's hospice providers las year. Hospices helped these patients and their family caregivers live as fully as possible. Hospice also ensures that people coping with a life-limiting illness will live with dignity, comfort and compassion.

"As hospice professionals, our mission is to serve patients and famiies, and we're committed to making sure they receive the care they want. National Hospice/Palliative Care Month provides a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of the options of care available," Kelley said.

Preferred Hospice can provide the community with more information about hospice and advance care planning. Education is provided free to anyone seeking information. Educational in-service for healthcare groups, patients and families are provided free of charge.

For more, or to schedule an in-service, call Preferred Hospice toll-free at 1-866-614-4774.