Dear Editor:
Palliative (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) and hospice care—with a focus on managing and easing symptoms, reducing pain and stress, and increasing comfort—can improve both the quality of care and quality of life for those with advanced dementia. Palliative and hospice care are provided by a specially-trained team – doctors, nurses and other specialists – who work closely with a patient’s other doctors.
One in every five seniors has a primary hospice diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia. 19,000 Contra Costa County residents live with Alzheimer’s and statewide, over 650,000 people over 65 and older have Alzheimer’s. It’s the third leading cause of death in California. Over twenty percent of emergency hospital visits deal with hospital readmission of dementia patients.
PCHETA will provide people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias with improved quality of care while lowering the impact on Medicaid. Please join me in asking Congressman Jerry McNerney to sponsor The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) (H.R.647) that was re-introduced to the 116th session of Congress.
Pam Jarvie
Discovery Bay
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