New York State Department of Health Recognizes National Hospice and Palliative Care Month

New Center for Hospice and Palliative Care Raises Awareness and Celebrates Professionals Who Provide Comfort to Patients and Families

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 21, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health recognizes National Hospice and Palliative Care Month by raising awareness about hospice and palliative care and acknowledging the health care professionals who provide it to patients and their families.

"Hospice and palliative care staff provide comfort to patients and families during a very trying time," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "This month, we celebrate the dedicated professionals in this difficult line of work, as we continue to bring awareness to the programs the State offers to patients with a focus on their physical and emotional needs."

"Our mission is to foster health equity and quality of life by advancing community-based, person-centered Hospice and Palliative Care so New York becomes a leader in living well at the end of life," Center for Hospice and Palliative Care Director Kara Travis said.

Hospice care focuses on providing comfort and support to patients and their loved ones facing a terminal illness. In contrast, Palliative Care focuses on managing the pain and symptoms of a serious illness, regardless of whether the disease is curable.

Hospice and palliative care are provided in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, Hospice residences, and patients' homes. Hospice and palliative care teams include nurses, doctors, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers to support the whole family and the patient.

In August, the State Department of Health, under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, launched the new Center for Hospice and Palliative Care within the Department's Office for Aging and Long-Term Care (OALTC).

The new Center will employ data and research to develop best practices and provide stakeholder and public education and training to support and encourage advanced care planning and high-quality end-of-life services throughout the State. The new Center expands the Department's Office of Aging and Long Term Care and focuses on increased utilization of Hospice and Palliative Care services. Objectives include spreading awareness about Advanced Care Planning and promoting collaboration between sectors of the health care system to strengthen end-of-life care for New York's rapidly growing aging populations.

Launching the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care was a top priority for the Department and highlights Governor Hochul's ongoing commitment to eliminating healthcare disparities for all New Yorkers. The new center will help remove barriers to accessing the profound comfort, support, and dignity that Palliative Care and Hospice services can provide for individuals and families facing the end of life.

The Department remains committed to providing support and quality resources to patients and their loved ones during one of the most difficult times in their lives.

Information about Hospice Care can be found here.

Information about Palliative Care can be found here.

Information about Advance Care Planning can be found here.