Black History Month gives us the opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the remarkable contributions and sacrifices made by Black Americans who have played an indelible role in shaping our communities, our country and our healthcare systems. As Ohio’s Hospice honors these accomplishments, it is important to acknowledge the exceptional challenges Black Americans have faced and continue to confront.  

Ohio’s Hospice recognizes that more work needs to be done in healthcare and other areas to promote access, equity, diversity, and inclusion for the Black community. Providing hospice care in underserved Black communities comes with unique challenges. Historical inequities, disparities in access to healthcare, cultural beliefs and practices, and a lack of understanding of values can all impact end-of-life care decisions. At Ohio’s Hospice, we recognize the importance of acknowledging and addressing these challenges. We actively work towards ensuring that our services are accessible, culturally appropriate, and respectful of individual beliefs and values.  

At the core of our mission is people. Ohio’s Hospice is dedicated to honoring and celebrating the lives of all individuals we are privileged to serve. Our commitment to providing superior care and services extends to every patient and family without bias based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, national origin, age, disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression. We believe every person deserves comprehensive care that addresses their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.  

In their study, researchers at Johns Hopkins discovered that during the study period, 34.9% of Black study participants who passed away utilized hospice services, while the percentage stood at 46.2% for white participants. The study also showed that Black Americans were notably less inclined than their white counterparts to access three or more days of hospice care. Additionally, Black Americans were more prone to experiencing multiple emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and intensive treatments in the last six months of life, regardless of the cause of death. This discrepancy was particularly pronounced for noncancer deaths.  

These findings shed light on the challenges and disparities of Black Americans when faced with end-of-life. At Ohio’s Hospice, we endeavor to provide compassion, respect, and understanding through our care to all individuals and their families during these sensitive times. We believe in the power of education, training, and open discussions to bridge these gaps and ensure everyone’s values and treatment preferences are incorporated into the quality care they need and deserve. Our commitment to continuous improvement and individual empowerment drives our efforts to address these disparities and provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support when it matters most.  

We are dedicated to creating communities where everyone feels welcomed, heard, and supported, regardless of race or background. The team at Ohio’s Hospice understands that by pursuing a more inclusive and equitable society, we can contribute to the healing and well-being of the communities we serve. We encourage our team members to continuously learn and grow, contributing to the advancement of our organization as we strive to improve the standard of care for all individuals. 

The team at Ohio’s Hospice understands that by engaging in the pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable society, we can contribute to the healing and well-being of the communities we serve. We encourage our team members to continuously learn and grow, contributing to the advancement of our organization as we strive to improve the standard of care for all individuals.  

As we honor Black History Month, Ohio’s Hospice is committed to reflecting on our history better to serve everyone in our community with compassionate hospice care, regardless of their background. We recognize the unique challenges that exist, and the ongoing work needed to foster access, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Through our dedication to Celebrating Life’s Stories, embracing diversity, and creating welcoming communities, we aim to ensure that everyone receives the superior care and services we deserve every hour of every day.