Our Mission
Mission Statement
Affirming the inherent worth and unique journeys of those nearing death and those who care for them, we offer spiritually-grounded, compassionate end-of-life care to the under-served people of Philadelphia.
The Unmet Need
Susquehanna Day 2007: Friends Hospice information tableHospice care provides a framework to improve the quality of life for individuals with terminal illness, their families and other caregivers. The benefits of hospice services are well documented. Despite this the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization estimates that only 40% of those eligible for hospice care are receiving hospice services.
Individuals in the inner city are even less likely to receive hospice services. Utilization rates studied in a major eastern city were more than a third lower than the national average.
We saw the following as unmet needs to be addressed in a new hospice program:
- Hospice care for inner-city communities, especially under-resourced individuals and families.
- Improved access to hospice care in general; education and care across economic and social spectrums; particularly for those who do not understand the concept and benefit of hospice care.
- A highly flexible approach to care that could meet the needs of individuals and families with a wide variety of challenges beyond the hospice specific illness.
- Increased use and understanding of hospice care within the community of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
- Full support of spiritual care for hospice staff, participants, and families.
Meeting the Need
Friends Hospice was created to meet these needs. We have created a program that is designed to serve anyone in need. This includes people usually considered difficult or undesirable by most hospice agencies, such as the uninsured, the homeless, those with mental or physical disabilities, and those without caregivers. Our systems are designed to make the admission and care of these individuals as routine as any other hospice participant.
In addition, we have worked to create collaborative relationships with organizations that have extensive experience in our target communities. These relationships are important in educating the community as well as providing care.
|
Population |
“Average” Hospice |
Friends Hospice |
|
Age |
Over 65 (82.6%) |
Under age 65 – 50% |
|
Race |
White (81.3%) |
65% people of color |
|
Source of primary medical care |
Have primary care providers |
Hospice MD or hospitalist – 50% |
|
Availability of a caregiver |
Readily apparent |
No caregivers or inadequate — 30 to 35% |
|
Housing |
Secure, stable |
Severe housing deficits – 25 to 30% |
|
Incidence of mental illness or substance abuse |
Minimal |
Mental illness, substance abuse or both – 35 to 40% |
Our Vision
We envision that our work, services, and operations will be grounded in Quaker life and testimonies.
We will provide high-quality care, including the most up-to-date hospice care and alternate therapies, to all who need our services.
We will offer an extensive, ongoing educational program designed to increase the understanding and use of hospice care in the underserved and Friends communities.
We will carry out each aspect of this service with an openness to the spirituality of ordinary and daily acts. We will respect and nurture the spirituality of hospice staff, participants, and families.
