National Hospice Month, 2002

Proclamation 7621 of November 1, 2002

National Hospice Month, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Hospice organizations provide people who are near the
end of their lives with family-centered, quality care,
that emphasizes compassion, independence, respect, and
dignity. During National Hospice Month, our Nation pays
tribute to hospice care and the persons and
organizations involved with it, by recognizing and
honoring its value and importance for people who are
dying, for their families and friends, and for our
communities.

Hospice has emerged as a successful model of care that
helps terminally ill individuals achieve practical,
physical, psychological, and spiritual goals. According
to the National Hospice and Palliative Care
Organization (NHPCO), in 2001, an estimated 3,200
operating hospice programs in the United States
admitted about 775,000 patients. Hospice care relies
upon a team of committed physicians, nurses, medical
social workers, therapists, counselors, and volunteers.
This team provides medical services that are designed
to improve the comfort of the patient, manage symptoms,
provide proper nutrition, and deal with other
difficulties such as emotional distress and grief.
Hospice care also provides important emotional and
spiritual support to families and friends as they cope
with their impending loss.

While we have made great progress in encouraging
hospice care, much work remains to be done to increase
awareness of hospice and its benefits. The NHPCO
reports that in 2000, 2.4 million people in our Nation
died. It is estimated that one in four used hospice
care and services. Also, many people at the end of life
are referred to hospice only a few days before death.
By strengthening and expanding hospice programs and
working to promote, where appropriate, their services
as a positive alternative for terminally ill patients,
we can make a difference in the lives of countless
Americans.

As we observe National Hospice Month, we applaud
hospice organizations, health professionals, and other
caregivers for their dedication to ensuring respect and
quality of life for all. We also reaffirm our
commitment as a Nation to honoring the dignity of every
person and to promoting compassion and concern for our
fellow citizens.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim November 2002 as National
Hospice Month. I encourage Americans to increase their
awareness of the importance and availability of hospice
service and to observe this month with appropriate
activities and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
first day of November, in the year of our Lord two
thousand two, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

(Presidential Sig.)B