Palliative and Hospice Training is Essential

PALLIATIVE AND HOSPICE CARE

Among seniors in hospice care, nearly 1 in 5 has a primary hospice diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia. And, nearly half of all people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are in hospice care at the time of their death. For people with advanced dementia, such team-based care improves quality of life, controls costs, and enhances patient satisfaction. While the availability of palliative and hospice care grows, the demand for coordinated care is growing at a far faster rate with the quality of care a concern.

To ensure the aging population has access to palliative and hospice care from an adequately trained workforce, AIM and the Alzheimer’s Association support The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) (S. 2080/H.R. 647). PCHETA would increase the availability and quality of care by establishing palliative care and hospice workforce training programs, creating a national education and awareness campaign about the benefits of palliative care and available services and supports, and enhancing research on improving the delivery of palliative care.
Today, this Bill has 288 cosponsors in the House of Representatives a full two thirds of the members. Even with this truly Bipartisan support, it remains in the Health subcommittee under Energy and Commerce.
The Alzheimer's Association and myself thank Congressman David Scott for his Cosponsorship of PCHETA H.R. 647 and his ongoing support of Alzheimer's of Alzheimer's patients and their families in District 13. Join me in asking your members of Congress to cosponsor this important legislation and encourage the subcommittee to move this Bill to the House Floor for final vote.

Jim Williams
Volunteer Legislative Ambassador
Alzheimer's Association of Georgia
Smyrna Georgia