Backup Documents 11/15/2016 Item # 4A 4A
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, hospice and palliative care provide patients and families with the highest quality care during
life-limiting illness and at the end of life through pain management and symptom control,
caregiver training and assistance, and emotional and spiritual support, allowing patients to
live fully up to the final moments, surrounded and supported by loved ones, friends and
committed caregivers; and,
WHEREAS, last year, more than 1.5 million Americans living with life-limiting illness, and their families,
received care from approximately 6,000 hospice and palliativecare programs in communities
throughout the United States; last year in Collier County, more than 1,800 people living with
a life-limiting illness were cared forby nonprofit Avow Hospice, Inc., and,
WHEREAS, professional and compassionate hospice staff- including physicians, nurses, social workers,
therapists, counselors, health aides, and chaplains -provide comprehensive care focused on
the wishes of each individual patient; and,
WHEREAS, more than 400,000 trained volunteers contribute approximately 18 million hours of service to
hospice programs annually; 340-plus Avow Hospice volunteers contributed almost 28,100
hours of service to hospice patients living in Collier County, providing Avow Hospice
approximately $661,000 worth of service; and,
WHEREAS, providing high-quality hospice and palliative care reaffirms our belief in the essential dignity
of every person, regardless of age, health, or social status, and that every stage of human
life deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and care; Avow Hospice believes that by
changing the way people die, they change the way people live; and,
WHEREAS, hospice and palliative care providers encourage all people to learn more about their options
for care and to share their wishes with family, loved ones, and their healthcare
professionals.
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier
County, Florida, that November 2016 be designated as
NATIONAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE MONTH IN COLLIER COUNTY
DONE AND ORDER i THIS 8th Day of November, 2016
(<��\\ (l 11�' BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
7(( )� COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
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(0,,,, „,,v, DONNA FIALA, CHAIR