A leading hospice care provider in the Washington region says end-of-life care is severely underutilized by black people in the district compared with people of other races.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A leading hospice care provider in the Washington region says end-of-life care is severely underutilized by black people in the district compared with people of other races.
A study by Capital Hospice found that in the District of Columbia, African-Americans over 65 who are eligible for hospice care are 34 percent less likely than white people to use it.
Capital Hospice will be exploring the issue Wednesday afternoon with a panel discussion at the National Press Club.
The organization is also announcing that it’s changing its name to Capital Caring. The name change will be accompanied by an outreach initiative, expanded services and a new website.
Hospice care focuses on relieving pain and other symptoms and improving quality of life for the terminally ill.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
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