Hospice Care and Cultural Diversity

Hospice Care and Cultural Diversity captures the richness and differences that make up the United States and its culture. This book shows you the complex issues arising from work with patients of a different culture and encourages research in hospices which support culturally innovative programs. Many people are individually knowledgeable and culturally sensitive, but few hospices have systematically planned for service to culturally diverse groups. This volume identifies who is implementing organizational programs of cultural sensitivity and acknowledges the efforts of those individuals working to make hospice accessible to everyone.

Hospice Care and Cultural Diversity contains original research, personal insights, and overviews to help you understand what is being done in the field. Specifically, chapters discuss:

• National Hospice Organization activities, goals, and recommended actions

• death and dying from a Native American perspective

• breaking barriers to hospice for African Americans

• a case study of the development of a culturally sensitive treatment plan in pre-hospice south Texas

• caregiving norms surrounding dying and use of hospice services among Hispanic American elderly

• cultural considerations surrounding childhood bereavement among Cambodians in the U.S.

• one hospice’s experience in identifying and meeting the needs of ethnic minority patients

  People from many different cultures are eager to share their customs, practices, and beliefs. They want hospice providers to understand their culture, and they want their community served by hospice. The only book of its kind, Hospice Care and Cultural Diversity is a valuable reference and source of ideas for anyone interested in the delivery of hospice services. From students to experts, you will find much information to help make hospice care accessible and comfortable for all groups of people.