November is National Hospice/Palliative Care Month, a time when care providers across the country are working to educate people about high quality end-of-life care. Hospice Care of South Carolina will host a community forum on Monday, November 3, at 5:30 p.m. at Gaffney City Hall to help people understand options for care when facing a serious or life-limiting illness.

The forum will follow with an exhibit of artwork by local artist and hospice recipient, Evelyn Yarborough. Mrs. Yarborough's art will be displayed in the City Hall building through November 21.

This local event is part of a broader national campaign launched by National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization encouraging people to learn more about hospice before they are faced with a healthcare crisis.

"Hospice is not a place but a kind of care that provides pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients and their families," said Amanda Knowles, Community Relations Director for Hospice Care of South Carolina. "For more than thirty years hospice has brought dignity, hope and love to people on life's final journey."

This educational forum is offered free-of-charge and will help participants understand what hospice is, the services provided, when hospice or palliative care is appropriate, and other vital health care issues that all consumers should be familiar with. The importance of communicating your wishes to family and loved ones— early and often—will be emphasized, and ways to help initiate these difficult discussions will be provided.

Hospice Care of South Carolina can provide the community with more information about hospice, palliative care or advance care planning. Please contact: Amanda Knowles, (864) 487- 3166, amandak@hospicecare. net.