CLARKS SUMMIT — The world of hospice is surrounded by myths:
Entering hospice care means one will soon die.
To become a hospice patient is equal to giving up hope.
To enter hospice care, one must already be bedridden.
Hospice Advantage, 700 S. State St., along with other providers around the country, is celebrating November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month in an effort to dispel these and other false ideas surrounding hospice care.
“Hospice and palliative care empower people to live as fully as possible, surrounded and supported by family and loved ones, despite serious and life-limiting illness,” acknowledged Mayor Patty Lawler in a proclamation she presented to Hospice Advantage on Nov. 16. “Hospice and palliative care bring patients and family caregivers the highest quality care delivered by an interdisciplinary team of skilled professionals that includes physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, counselors, health aides, spiritual care providers and others who make the wishes of each patient and family member a priority.”
Lawler thanked Hospice Advantage representatives Susan Aulisio, RN, clinical service director, and Susan Meyers, palliative care coordinator, for all they do in their jobs.
“I am very honored to present this to these very fine workers in healthcare,” she said. “We are honored to have them as part of the Clarks Summit Borough.”
Aulisio, who has worked in the field for 26 years, said she hopes the recognition will help people to see hospice for what it really is.
“Hospice and palliative care is a great service that is underutilized,” she said, adding that goes for hospices anywhere, not only Hospice Advantage in Clarks Summit.