World Hospice and Palliative Care Day

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) advocates for hospice and palliative care services across the world. It has a remarkable 17 years of tradition. On this day communities and organizations come together to support those who face serious illnesses.

In 2023, WHPCD’s theme is “Compassionate Communities: Together for Palliative Care.” Keep reading to learn about how you could get involved.

Overview of WHPCD

WHPCD, celebrated every year on the second Saturday of October, raises awareness about hospice and palliative care. You may wonder why this is important. Sadly, around 86% of people around the world do not have access to palliative care when they need it. The tragic reality is that due to this lack of access approximately 18 million people die with pain and suffering every year.

What Services Come With Palliative Care?

Palliative care is a special type of medical care. Its goal is to make people with serious illnesses feel as comfortable and pain-free as possible. It also gives emotional support to patients and their families.

Who Can Benefit From Palliative Care?

Most adults who require palliative care suffer from ongoing illnesses:

• Heart diseases (38.5%)
• Cancer (34%)
• Chronic respiratory conditions (10.3%)
• AIDS (5.7%)
• Diabetes (4.6%)

There are various other conditions that may also require palliative care, including:

• Kidney failure
• Chronic liver disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Neurological disorders
• Dementia
• Congenital anomalies
• Drug-resistant tuberculosis

How You Can Get Involved

There is still a lot to be done to make hospice and palliative care services more accessible across the world. In the United States in particular, a significant barrier is the lack of public awareness. Awareness days, such as WHPCD, are essential milestones toward implementing the necessary social changes.

With this in mind, let’s look at how you can contribute:

• Stay Informed: Stay updated on campaigns and new campaign materials by subscribing to the WHPCA’s newsletter.
• Register Your Event: If you plan to organize an event to commemorate WHPCD, consider registering it on the official Event Map. This will make it easier for others in your area to find and join your event, amplifying the collective impact.
• Follow on Social Media: Keep an eye out for campaign updates and engage with the community including terms like “CompassionateCommunities” and “WHPCDay23.” Sharing information and personal stories can help spread awareness.
• Volunteer to Translate: If you are proficient in a language other than English, consider translating campaign materials. This ensures that the message of WHPCD reaches a broader audience, including people from diverse backgrounds. You can express your interest in contributing by contacting hkinyua@thewhpca.org.

 At Bonita Springs Healthcare Services we offer expert hospice and palliative care services. Contact us today for more information.

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