Highlighting Hospice Care

Here in Kansas, we value helping our neighbors, our families and our friends. It’s a common thread that binds us together and makes our state a great place to live, work and raise a family. This month, we’re taking a moment to thank those individuals who help families get through incredibly difficult times – the passing of a loved one. During National Hospice Month in November, we recognize Hospice Care of Kansas and the over 70 hospices throughout the state who care for patients during the final stages of life. Studies show that hospice staff members not only provide compassionate care, but also help terminally ill hospice patients live longer than patients not receiving hospice care. Hospice care preserves dignity and choice for the patient and also reduces Medicare costs. Whether at an extended care facility or at home, hospice care provides support to both the patient and their family. Even more extraordinary, hospice care began as a volunteer movement and continues to have a strong volunteer network. In a predominantly rural state, hospice staff and volunteers provide a critical service in stretching the limited resources available to patients in rural Kansas. In a time when health care reform is crucial for providing Kansans the care they deserve, I’m grateful for the nurses, social workers, chaplains, health care aides and volunteers who dedicate their time to helping patients and their families when they need it most. Their work represents the best of our state and we should each say, ‘thank you’.