It’s National Minority Health Month, a time to recognize the importance of health equity and health care access for all minority populations in our country. Although hospice care (a type of palliative care that improves quality of life in the last stages of someone’s life) has always been for all, minority communities across America are shown to use hospice services in lower numbers.
“Patients of minority (non-Caucasian) race accounted for less than one fifth of hospice patients in 2013,” according to the 2014 NHPCO Facts and Figures: Hospice Care in America report. However, the U.S. Census Bureau counted minorities as approximately 37% of the U.S. population in 2013.
The NHPCO report also showed that from 2012 to 2013, the percentage of hospice patients dropped among Blacks/African Americans (8.6% to 8.4%) and Hispanics/Latinos (6.9% to 6.8%) nationally.
Barriers to Hospice Care
To some extent we all fear confronting our mortality. Too many of us neglect discussing our end-of-life care wishes, including the option of hospice care when a cure isn’t possible. Our Suncoast Hospice care includes expert pain and symptom management, therapies, personal care, emotional counseling, spiritual care, caregiver support, grief counseling and more. It can vastly benefit patients and their families, especially when they access it earlier.
Still, minorities may be avoiding hospice for different reasons. The word hospice, spiritual beliefs and hospice misinformation became barriers with some African Americans, says Empath Health President & CEO Rafael J. Sciullo. They’ve voiced, “We don’t want to hear the word hospice”, “We think of the life and death experience as a transition, not an end” and “We didn’t know hospice was for us”.
At Empath Health, we believe everyone deserves the best quality of care, dignity and comfort throughout their journeys of advanced or chronic illness. We’re committed to meeting the unique needs of diverse communities through our Suncoast Hospice care, all-inclusive senior care, HIV services and palliative home health care. People aren’t giving up control, hope or faith by seeking our care. They’re getting help to live more comfortably and meaningfully.
Hospice Physician’s Compassionate Care
Our extraordinary hospice care teams provide respect, understanding and compassion to every patient and family as they deal with the challenges of advanced illness. Juan Escobales, MD, a bilingual Puerto Rico native, works as a physician at our Suncoast Hospice Care Center North Pinellas. He has practiced medicine in Pinellas County since 1976, is board certified in family medicine and recently received the Diplomate certification from the American Board of Family Medicine.
Suncoast Hospice Physician Dr. Juan Escobales
Dr. Escobales concentrates on listening to and supporting his care center patients and families, whom oftentimes are stricken with stress and emotion.
“I’ve seen some of our African American families have a strong sense of not wanting to give up – feeling they’ve not done everything they can possibly do for their loved ones. With some of our Latino families, the biggest issue is the satellite family members coming in with guilt and unresolved issues. I feel I can help open the avenue to communication,” Dr. Escobales said.
When caring for patients and families of any cultures Dr. Escobales believes it’s crucial to speak in common and simple language and not specifically about death. He also strives to bring everyone in the family to the table when talking about the needs and goals of care.
“I try to get down to Earth. I’ll talk to the spouse or other family members and ask them to tell me what they’re thinking, and most of the time they’ll tell me what’s on their minds or their fears. In the end, they’ve talked about it and they feel so relieved,” he said.
Dr. Escobales encourages anyone to reach out to Empath Health. “I want everyone in our community to know they can call us whenever they have questions. We’re here to help meet their needs.”
To find out more about Empath Health care and services, call us at 727-467-7423.