Palliative Care

Resources

National Palliative Care Programs

American Academy on Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM)

AAHPM is an organization of physicians and other medical professionals dedicated to excellence in palliative medicine and the prevention and relief of suffering among patients and families. It provides education and clinical practice standards, fosters research, facilitates personal and professional development of its members, and advocates public policy.

Americans for Better Care of the Dying (ABCD)

ABCD is a non-profit public charity dedicated to the development of service systems that meet the special needs of the last phase of life. The site features a newsletter, events listing, news, resource list, and a forum for discussions.

Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC)

CAPC is dedicated to increasing the availability of quality palliative care services in hospitals and other health care settings for individuals with life-threatening illnesses, their families, and caregivers. CAPC provides health care professionals with the tools, training, and technical assistance necessary to start and sustain successful palliative care programs.

There is a new website for patients and their families who want to learn more about palliative care available here. It includes handouts and frequently asked questions.

Compassion in Dying Federation

This federation provides national leadership for client service, legal advocacy, and public education to improve pain and symptom management, increase patient empowerment and self determination, and expand end-of-life choices to include aid-in-dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults.

Death with Dignity National Center (DDNC)

DDNC is a national organization devoted to improving palliative care and providing greater choice about end-of-life options.

End-of-Life / Palliative Education Resource Center (EPERC)

EPERC is an initiative of the Medical College of Wisconsin for the development, implementation, and dissemination of innovative educational programs for medical students, residents, and clinicians.

Hospice Association of America

This is an affiliate of the National Association for Home Care.

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)

This is the largest association and leading resource for professionals and volunteers committed to and providing service to patients and their families during end of life.

Open Society Institute, Project on Death in America

This major initiative by the End-of-Life Leadership Academy for the Institute of Johns Hopkins Nursing is working to transform the culture of dying.

Partnership for Caring: America’s Voices for the Dying

This national non-profit organization partners individuals and organizations in a powerful collaboration to improve how individuals in our society die. Among other services, Partnership for Caring operates the only national crisis and information hotline dealing with end-of-life issues. It provides state-specific living wills and medical powers of attorney, also called advance directives.