Hospice Education Institute

Hospice Education Institute is an independent non-profit organization in the USA, founded in 1985, holding tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Hospice Education Institute serves a wide range of individuals and organizations interested in improving and expanding hospice and palliative care throughout the United States and around the world.

The Institute works to inform . . . to educate . . . and to support . . . people seeking or providing care for the dying and the bereaved, or themselves coping with far advanced illness, or with loss.

Over 3,000 local hospice and palliative care programs in the United States offer specialized care to people suffering from fatal illnesses, such as cancer. Working in close cooperation with the patient's doctor, the hospice team of trained health professionals and community volunteers helps each patient with symptom relief (especially control of pain), skilled nursing; emotional support; pastoral care if requested; and practical assistance with everyday tasks. Hospice care always remembers family members, before and after the death of the patient. Good hospices are rooted in, and responsive to, the communities they serve.

Hospice care is provided at home, in a hospital, or in a nursing home, depending on the patient's choice and circumstances, and on the local hospice's services. Some hospices now have their own residences or inpatient units.

Hospice is a philosophy of caring which values the dignity and worth of each person, and good hospice care is the practical expression of that commitment.

Although hospices care for people nearing death, hospices cherish and emphasize life, by helping patients (and those who love them and care for them) live each precious day to the fullest.

HOSPICELINK, which maintains a computerized database and up-to-date directory of all hospice and palliative care programs in the United States. A free telephone number (800-331-1620) offers referrals to hospice and palliative care programs, and provides general information about the principles and practices of good hospice and palliative care.

HOSPICELINK is a safe, unhurried setting where patients, caregivers and family members can not only obtain information, but also discuss in confidence their concerns, fears and hopes, and share some of the burdens of difficult decisions and stressful life situations. (HOSPICELINK provides no medical advice or psychological counseling, preferring instead to offer 'sympathetic listening.') There is never a charge for any HOSPICELINK service. For further information, please contact HospiceLink@hospiceworld.org.

SMALL GIFT PROGRAM which makes immediate gifts to hospice patients and families for non-medical needs, as identified by local hospice staff members. These gifts are made without delay and ‘red tape’, and within one working day after the request is reviewed and approved, a check is on its way. The nature of the non-medical assistance is limited only by the needs of patient and family, and the ingenuity of the hospice caregiver. Contact SmallGift@hospiceworld.org for further information.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION GRANTS are made to hospice and palliative care organizations nationwide, to assist them in planning and operating their own educational programs on a local and regional level. Contact CooperativeEducation@hospiceworld.org for further information.

INPATIENT HOSPICE DESIGN PROJECT is working to create architectural modules to assist individual hospices and palliative care units in improving and/or designing their own facilities for in-patient end-of-life care.

SEMINARS on many aspects of care for the dying and the bereaved are organized for health and caring professionals, and for qualified hospice volunteers. Since 1986, seminars have been offered in 31 states in the USA. Faculty members for these seminars are international experts on hospice and palliative care. The Institute also sponsors the annual Hospice & Palliative Care Study Seminar in Britain, an intensive two-week workshop for health care professionals from all over the world.

ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE is freely given to people working to begin or to improve community-based hospice, palliative care and bereavement support.

BOOKS and PAMPHLETS are available from the Hospice Education Institute on hospice-related subjects. The Hospice Education Institute's Notes on Symptom Control In Hospice and Palliative Care is a definitive 387-page reference text on caring for the dying and the bereaved. It is available for $34.95 per hard copy, or can be viewed on our website free of charge. For further information, please contact Orders@hospiceworld.org.