Each year, November is a time to pause and honor all the dedicated home care and hospice professionals, including physicians, nurses, aides, social workers, therapists, and others. While home care is all about helping clients age in place with a renewed sense of independence, hospice allows terminally ill patients to live more comfortably and pass away with dignity. If you or your loved ones have benefitted from hospice or home care, November is the perfect opportunity to tell them how much you appreciate their efforts.
History of National Home Care & Hospice Month
The home care and hospice professions date back to 1963 when Dame Cicely Saunders gave a lecture at Yale University on the concept of providing specialized care for those nearing end of life. Within two years, Dame Saunders had become Dean of Yale’s School of Nursing.
In 1967, she helped establish the first hospice center – St. Christopher’s Hospice – in the United Kingdom (UK). By the end of 1974, Saunders had founded Connecticut Hospice in Branford, Connecticut. During that same year, the first government legislation was introduced to provide federal funds for hospice programs. Sadly, it did not pass.
Spurred on by a book authored by Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross called On Death and Dying, the hospice care movement gained traction. In 1975, the first National Symposium on Hospice Care was held in Connecticut, followed by the establishment of the National Hospice Organization (NHO) in 1979. Hospice care received nationwide attention in 1982 when the U.S. Congress passed a provision that created a Medicare hospice benefit.
That same year the NHO’s first television public service announcement (PSA) aired. In 1992, the National Hospice Foundation (NHF) was established. By the early 2000s, the NHF had launched a series of award-winning public service campaign TV ads. The first National Home Care & Hospice Month was celebrated soon thereafter.
Home Care & Hospice Month Celebration Ideas
As an employer, care recipient, or the family of a care recipient, here’s how to celebrate the home care and hospice caregivers in your life:
Promote awareness
Use your website, blog, and social media platforms to spread the word about Home Care & Hospice Month. If you are a home care and/or hospice care provider, use the opportunity to visit residents of retirement communities and share general information about your services – including tips on how to finance and find the best care.
Greeting card
Everyone likes to receive greeting cards. Sign a thank you card that you then mail or hand-deliver to the home care and hospice professionals who have made your job more bearable as a supervisor – or life more fulfilling as a care recipient.
Party or banquet
As an employer, honor your staff by throwing them a party or catered banquet during which you hand out special gifts and awards. While everyone is together, read some thank you cards or letters out loud from patients and their families.
Care package
Another gift idea is to fill a decorative basket with your caregiver’s favorite treats and then present it to them when they least expect it. Fragrant bath soaps, packets of energizing teas or coffees, a bottle of their favorite wine, or holiday chocolates all make welcomed additions to caregiver gift baskets.
Gift cards or tickets
Buy some gift cards and then distribute them to the caregivers who have had a positive impact on your life. Gift card ideas include those for local restaurants, day spas, or movie theaters, as well as Amazon, Visa, or American Express. You can also purchase tickets for them to an upcoming concert, sporting event, or play.
Your Trusted Home Care & Hospice Source in Pasadena, CA
At New Wave Home Care, we are proud of our dedicated caregivers and their tireless efforts while serving families in the local community. For seniors and tired family caregivers, our home care options are often a welcomed relief. Our compassionate professionals can not only help seniors with activities of daily living (ADLs), but we also provide specialized in-home services that address the unique and diverse needs of those living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or a terminal illness.
When you choose New Wave Home Care for in-home care, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your elderly loved one will benefit from a team of medical professionals and experienced caregivers. As an industry leader, we’ve been helping seniors throughout Southern California and the greater Los Angeles area for over 12 years maintain their health, dignity, and independence. Learn more today about our flexible in-home care options for seniors in Los Angeles, Pasadena, and the San Fernando Valley by clicking here now.
