Earlier today, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) brought together an intimate group of hospice leaders in Times Square, New York City to acknowledge six months since former President Jimmy Carter entered hospice care and to thank him for his leadership.

Back in February, President Carter and his family chose hospice care for his end-of-life journey. By sharing that choice publicly, the Carters have sparked a national conversation and countless private ones about the value of hospice.

At today’s event, brief remarks were given in front of an illuminated Nasdaq screen by several hospice leaders including Delaware Hospice’s President & CEO, Susan Lloyd, and NHPCO COO and interim CEO, Ben Marcantonio. They joined together in one of America’s most well-known public squares to express gratitude for President Carter’s leadership and the courageous conversations he has inspired.

“The Carters’ service to humanity has served as a wonderful example to all of us. He has shown us how to be deeply human. President Carter and his family are doing that again now for his end-of-life journey,” said Marcantonio. “I hope we will all take a cue from President Carter and be more willing than ever to have courageous conversations with our doctors and loved ones that help people think about how they want to experience their own hospice journey when it’s their time.”

“Death is one of the few things that all humans have in common, yet we generally avoid talking about it. If we are willing to break through the taboos – if we’re willing to have courageous conversations – we can help people have the end-of-life journey they deserve, and the impact that has on them and their loved ones is profound,” said Lloyd. “Hospice care is not about living longer; it’s about making the most of the time we have left. President Carter and his family are just one example of the ways in which hospice can transform lives.”

“The hospice approach is different from any other approach to healthcare. We put patients and their goals at the center of the plan of care. With that approach, we can help people live their final weeks or months to the fullest. For some patients, that means visiting the beach one last time. For others, it means working on their art or recording their memoirs. For some it means attending a grandchild’s wedding,” said Jacqueline Lopez-Devine, Chief Clinical Officer for Gentiva. “In all cases, it includes the patient and their loved ones being clear about what’s important, and then tailoring the plan of care to those goals.”

A recording of the event is available here.

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About Delaware Hospice

Since 1982, Delaware Hospice has provided the highest quality hospice and healthcare services, and serves as a trusted community partner in end-of-life education and support. Our mission is to provide support to every individual, family, and community with compassionate and expert care for serious illness. Accredited by the Joint Commission and active members of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Center to Advance Palliative Care, Delaware Quality of Life Coalition, and Alliance Kids Delaware Hospice continues to be a licensed, nonprofit, community-based healthcare agency serving Delaware as well as southern Chester and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania. Through our commitment to care for our community, we offer the following programs and services, many free of charge: Delaware Hospice, the Delaware Hospice Center, Katybug, Delaware Palliative, Delaware Transitions, Bereavement, New Hope, and Honoring Choices® Delaware. For more information about Delaware Hospice’s programs and services, upcoming events, or employment opportunities, call 302-478-5707 or visit our website, www.delawarehospice.org.

About NHPCO

The National Hospce and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) is the nation’s largest and oldest membership association for providers who care for people affected by serious and life-limiting illness. Our members deliver and expand access to high-quality, person-centered interdisciplinary care to millions of Americans. NHPCO provides education and resources to support that mission. Together with our advocacy partner, the Hospice Action Network (HAN), we serve as the leading voice advancing public policy to improve serious-illness and endof-life care, while our CaringInfo program provides free resources to educate and empower patients and caregivers. nhpco.org