health care
Study of 160,000 Medicare Patients
Shows Hispanics Have Greater Costs for End-of-Life Care
Findings show importance of advance directives for making wishes known
“F
amilies are often caught months of life cost for care for Hispan- availability of the Cuidando con Car-
unprepared when dealing ic patients ($31,702) was 60% higher iЦo, Compassionate Care bilingual fact
with a loved one’s serious than for non-Hispanic white ($20,166) sheet developed in partnership with the
illness. It is another reason why health patients. National Hospice and Palliative Care
reform is so important for our commu- According to Dr. Delgado, “studies Organization (NHPCO). The Alliance
nities,” said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, Pres- have shown that Hispanics are less also announced availability of personal-
ident and CEO of the National Alliance likely that non-Hispanic whites to have ized assistance through its toll-free Su
for Hispanic Health, the nation’s lead- advance directives. Making our end- Familia National Hispanic Family
ing Hispanic health advocacy group. of-life wishes known is made more dif- Health Helpline at 1-866-783-2645.
“Without family discussions about ficult by the fact that Hispanics are the “While most of us do not want to
end-of-life care, we and our loved ones group least likely to have a regular deal with the issue of death, we all
may not have the dignity and comfort provider of care and often face lan- need to be informed. One of the most
we deserve and may be subjected to guage and cultural barriers in commu- loving things we can do is to make sure
needless invasive practices.” nicating with their provider.” Delgado that we have an advance directive and
In the largest research study of its added. “We all must take the time to inform our health care provider about
kind, the treatment experiences of over talk with a health provider or counselor our wishes so that our loved ones do
160,000 Medicare patients were who understands the issues and be not have to make such decisions in the
reviewed. The study results released informed about advance directives.” most difficult of times,” concluded Dr.
this week in the Archives of Internal To assist families with end-of-life Delgado. HNM
Medicine found that in the last six issues, the Alliance announced the Source: National Alliance for Hispanic Health
open up and
say anything
want better health care? start asking more questions. to your doctor. to your pharmacist.
to your nurse. what are the test results? what about side effects? don’t fully understand your
prescriptions?don’tleaveconfused.becausethemostimportantquestionistheoneyoushould
have asked. go to
www.ahrq.gov/questionsaretheanswer or call 1-800-931-AHRQ (2477)
for the 10 questions every patient should ask. questions are the answer.
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