November is National Hospice Month, and to kick it off, Hospice by the Sea, Inc. hosted a group of business leaders and philanthropists from the People’s Republic of China at its Boca Raton Care Center. The visitors represented the Daohe Investment Industrial Group and the Joymain Daohe Charitable Foundation. The “Foundation,” established by Nanjing Zhongmai Technology Development Ltd. and the Daohe Investment Industrial Group, devotes itself to assisting the Chinese government in addressing issues related to the elderly and the education of children as well as finding ways to reduce poverty.

 

“The Foundation is dedicated to helping people to obtain more love and happiness. It strives to promote the harmony and prosperity in the society.” Shuran Li, Chairwoman of Joymain Daohe Charitable Foundation. “ We hope the foundation will become the most respected advocate of concepts that improve the quality of life for the youngest, oldest and neediest Chinese citizens.” Xijian Zhou， Chairman of Daohe Investment Industrial Group, added.

 

According to the state run Xinhau news agency, China had about 185 million people above the age of 60 at the end of 2011. The figure is expected to surge to 221 million in 2015 and by 2050, a third of China’s population will be classified as elderly. The Chinese government already has made strides in reducing the poverty of its rural residents. By partnering with industry giants like the Dahoe Group it is strategically anticipating the needed of its aging population.

 

"Eastern cultures always have placed enormous value on assuring quality of life for family and the elderly,” notes Paula J. Alderson. “Hospice care is a concept that echoes that value and could assist in China’s efforts to better care for their older citizens. Our visitors genuinely related to the philosophy of hospice once they became more familiar with it.”

 

Hospice by the Sea had much knowledge and experience to impart on the audience of twenty-four eager listeners. Paula J. Alderson, President and CEO welcomed the group and provided a history of the organization and explained the goals of hospice care. Dr. Leonard Hock, Chief Medical officer addressed the delivery of that care and the environments in which it is provided.

 

Thirty-five years ago, the not-for profit, Hospice by the Sea was founded by a group of dedicated volunteers to provide a better way of providing care and comforting patients and families in facing the challenges of life-limiting diseases. Today, it also offers a continuum of other services including palliative care, home healthcare, complementary therapies and support for caregivers to residents in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

 

While touring the Boca Care Center which can accommodate 30 patients, Dr. Stephanie McKee, Sr. Director of Program Analysis and Development, explained the ways in which support is provided to family caregivers and the programs available to help them in promoting their own self-care. George Tokesky, Sr. Director of Business Development highlighted the ways in which as a not-for-profit organization Hospice by the Sea raises funds to support services and assure care for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. The Daohe Group was very impressed and touched by the well designed programs that Hospice by the Sea provides to its patients and their caregivers.

 

The group donated more than $32,000 to Hospice by the Sea in support of Hospice by the Sea’s commitments and effort to provide quality medical care to its patients and psychosocial and spiritual support to patients and their caregivers and family.

 

To conclude the visit, Paula Alderson invited the Daohe Group to send representatives of the Foundation to Hospice by the Sea to learn more about hospice and the types of services that could be developed for communities in China. The offer for establishing that type of partnership was warmly welcomed by the Dahoe visitors.