National Home Care and Hospice Month

National Home Care and Hospice Month, observed throughout November, honors the compassionate professionals, family caregivers, volunteers, and support teams who help people receive comfort and care where they live. Home care can assist individuals with daily needs, health management, and independence, while hospice provides specialized support and comfort for people facing a life-limiting illness, as well as guidance for their loved ones.

Throughout the month, this observance encourages appreciation for the dedication behind these services and greater awareness of the choices available to patients and families. It is also a meaningful time to recognize the importance of dignity, compassion, and quality of life at every stage of care—and to thank those who bring comfort, respect, and kindness to individuals and families during challenging times.

National Home Care and Hospice Month is observed throughout November to recognize the people, organizations, and families involved in providing care in the home and in hospice settings. Its history reflects the growth of community-based health care in the United States, as medical services increasingly expanded beyond hospitals and nursing facilities. Home care allows individuals with illness, disability, or age-related needs to receive assistance where they live, while hospice focuses on comfort, dignity, and support for people nearing the end of life.

The observance is associated with the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, which helped establish November as a time to bring national attention to these services. Its development followed decades of change in American health care, including the emergence of modern hospice programs in the latter half of the twentieth century and the expansion of home health care as a recognized component of long-term and post-acute care. The creation of the Medicare hospice benefit in 1982 was especially important, helping make hospice services more accessible to eligible patients and giving greater visibility to end-of-life care.

Over time, the observance has evolved from a professional tribute into a broader public education effort. It highlights the work of nurses, aides, therapists, social workers, physicians, chaplains, volunteers, administrators, and family caregivers. It also calls attention to the practical and emotional challenges involved in caring for people with complex medical needs, including the importance of care coordination, caregiver support, advance planning, and respect for patients’ wishes.

Culturally, National Home Care and Hospice Month encourages a fuller understanding of care as a shared community responsibility rather than a service provided only in institutional settings. It honors the preference of many people to remain at home or in a familiar environment and emphasizes that hospice is centered on quality of life, comfort, and family support rather than curative treatment. Throughout November, educational programs, recognition activities, and advocacy efforts help acknowledge the contributions of care professionals and promote greater awareness of compassionate, person-centered care.