When does End of Life begin?
A February 6th article in The Journal of the American Medical Association underscores our experiences at Hospice Savannah: too many patients being admitted to the hospital multiple times in the last 90 days of life and being referred for hospice services during the last three days of life.
 This decreased length of time patients stay on hospice care means more hospital visits and higher healthcare costs in the long run. A 2007 issue of Social Science and Medicine found that hospice use reduced Medicare program expenditures during the last year of life by an average of $2,309 per hospice user. And of course, the cost of medications, missed work days, and the stress of coordinating various doctor visits add up quickly if hospice assistance is not utilized.
But perhaps the saddest thing when hospice care is accessed so late is that quality time to cherish together as a family is jeopardized. Daughters need to be allowed to be daughters. Husbands to be husbands. If patients are admitted later in their illness, we have less time to provide support, guidance and advice to caregivers.
Our CEO, Debra Larson, picured right, would love to hear you comments on this study and any suggestions you have for breaking down the stigma associated with accessing hospice care. You may email her here. |
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Dance-A-Thon to benefit Hospice Savannah's Center for Living
Our friends at First African Baptist Church, the oldest continuing African American congregation, will host a spring Dance-A-Thon and Health Fair in Ellis Square on Saturday, April 6. D. J. Romeo will be spinning the tunes from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Come out and join him!
Proceeds from this fun, family-focused day of festivities will benefit our Center for Living capital campaign . We thank Reverend Thurman Tillman and his congregation. For more information on the Dance-A-Thon please contact 912.312.2069 or manderson@hospicesavannah.org.
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Our friends and supporters are cordially invited to attend the luncheon and annual meeting of Hospice Savannah, Inc.; Hospice Savannah Foundation, Inc.; and The Steward Center for Palliative Care, Inc. at the Savannah Golf Club on Thursday, March 28th. 
