Hospice is a modern concept that began in 1969. The idea of Hospice derives from Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’s book, ON Death and Dying, which opened more conversations death and how death should be for those dying. November is National Hospice Month, where we recognize those that work in hospice care or are being treated by a hospice team.
The first hospice center opened in the late 1960s by Dame Cicely Saunders, St. Christopher’s Hospice, located in the United Kingdom. Over time, the hospice gained popularity and made its rise to America. The first American hospice center was the Connecticut Hospice and was founded in 1974. Congress then passed a Medicare hospice benefit for those that qualified, which allowed patients to pass away in peace with the help of government funding.
Today, we see hospice taking on a much larger role by not only focusing on their patients. Hospice teams focus on all of those that are involved with the death, offering services and support for caregivers and loved ones. Overall, the goals and beliefs of hospice care has relatively stayed the same from the beginning – a commitment to open and honest conversations about death and a dedication to preserving autonomy through one’s final days.
Happy National Hospice Month and thank you to all of those that serve in the hospice community.
