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In 1963, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, the late Dame Cicely Saunders of England first introduced to the United States the idea of specialized care for the dying in a lecture at Yale University.

From there, hospice care – and later palliative care – services began to grow.

On Wednesday morning, those who practice such were recognized.

With multiple staff members from Hospice East, located at 407 Shoppers Drive, present at the Clark County Courthouse, a proclamation read by Clark County Judge-Executive Les Yates represented November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.

“[H]ospice and palliative care providers encourage all people to learn more about options of care and to share their wishes with family, loved ones, and their healthcare professionals,” said Judge Yates. “I … do hereby proclaim November 2023 as National Hospice Palliative Care Month and encourage citizens to increase their understanding and awareness of care at the end of life and to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs.”

Among the staff from Hospice East joining Judge Yates in the reading of the proclamation were Nurse Practitioner Regina Prewitt, Medical Director William Greiser, Executive Director Debbie Jones, Volunteer Coordinator Charity Pinkerton, Administrative Assistant Kara Taylor and Registered Nurses Pam Woosley and Tammy Rogers.

Several statistical details were mentioned.

For example, more than $1.5 million Americans living with life-limiting illness and their families receive care from the nation’s hospice programs in communities throughout the county every year.

Over 400,000 trained volunteers contribute approximately 19 million hours to hospice programs annually.

Also, hospice saves Medicare more than $2 billion by providing solutions for physicians, care for patients and comfort to families as needed.

Yet, that’s not all.

During times that might be challenging, hospice and palliative care workers grant patients and family caregivers a high quality of care thanks to an interdisciplinary team of professionals such as nurses, social workers, therapists, counselors and health aides.

While surrounded and supported by loved ones, patients can live meaningfully as pain management and symptom control are also emphasized.

Jones talked about the role emotional and spiritual support plays in tending to patients.

“Dying [is] very hard, but it’s something we all have to go through at some time in our life,” she said, noting that volunteers and chaplains can also be involved in the process. “Knowing the outcome of things [and] just having that extra support helps.”

Yates, who has had family members treated in hospice care, expressed gratitude for Hospice East’s services.

“I truly admire hospice [care professionals],” he said. “My heart goes out to you.”

While the subject matter can bring about challenges, Jones mentioned many advantages of the work.

“I think helping someone on their next journey once they’ve lived this is the most rewarding thing you can do … to have someone die with dignity, respect, being peaceful and [comforted] and having their loved ones around them,” she said.