Hospice Care

Today in America, advances in health care have resulted in people living longer and longer. And, even when they get life threatening illnesses, medicines can keep people alive. Years ago, these same illnesses might have resulted in death. Today, though, living with a life limiting illness is common.

Ultimately such illnesses take lives. Until 1967, though, there was no type of care specifically for people in the final stages of life due to a life limiting illness. Then,  hospice care was introduced to this country from England. And, because so many people were cared for so compassionately and because so many families were so gratified and satisfied with the care, hospice programs expanded throughout the country.

Today, over one third of all Americans who die receive the services of a hospice program. From that first hospice program established in New Haven Connecticut in 1967, today there are more than 4,000 throughout the country.

Hospice care helps people cope with what is most frightening in the final period of life—being alone and being in pain. Hospice programs are dedicated to and extremely skilled in these areas.

Most hospice care is provided in homes where patients can be surrounded by families and other loved ones. When patients are too ill to be at home, freestanding hospice buildings and hospice units inside hospitals provide settings which are as home like as possible. The entire thrust of care in these settings is to make patients well enough to return to their own homes.

Probably because most people do not like to talk about death and dying, a lot of Americans do not know about hospice care. Run to Remember is dedicated to spreading information about hospice care. At the same time, Run to Remember seeks to raise funds for The National Hospice Foundation and its broad and comprehensive efforts to educate people about hospice care.