Hospice care is about how we live our final months or weeks of life. Easter Doyle (pictured) spent his final weeks at home surrounded by his loving family, with the support, guidance and compassionate care of Hospice Maui.

WAILUKU – The U.S. Congress has designated November as “National Hospice Month.”

This month, Hospice Maui encourages you to share hospice care stories with friends and colleagues. These stories can help to increase awareness and access to this compassionate form of care.

Hospice care is more than medical care – it is quality, compassionate, patient-centered care provided on the patients’ terms and in the patients’ place of choice. Hospice care also includes supporting the patients’ families.

Since 1981, Hospice Maui has served families from all corners of the island, providing the most seriously ill with expert pain and symptom control, counseling, spiritual care and respite and bereavement services.

In its 32 years serving Maui, Hospice Maui has grown each year to meet the community need.

In 2013, Hospice Maui has doubled the number of patients it serves from 30 a day to an average daily census of 60 patients and their families.

In recognition of National Hospice Month, and in celebration of Hospice Maui’s anniversary, 30 of Maui’s most popular restaurants will participate in the fourth annual “Dine Out for Hospice Maui!” on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

You don’t need a fancy ball gown, pinchy shoes or tuxedos to participate. Simply choose from the 30 partner restaurants island-wide and dine out on Tuesday.

These restaurants will donate proceeds from your meal to support Hospice Maui.

Participating restaurants include:

West Maui – Mala Ocean Tavern, Honu Seafood & Pizza, Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop, Maui Brewing Co., Star Noodle, Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, Merriman’s Kapalua, Aloha Mixed Plate, Fleetwood’s on Front St. and Monsoon India;

South Maui – Stella Blues Caf, Capische?, Fabiani’s Bakery & Pizzeria, Mala Wailea, Mulligans on the Blue, Pita Paradise Wailea, Monkeypod Kitchen, Buzz’s Wharf and Monsoon India;

Upcountry and Paia – Market Fresh Bistro, Casanova Italian Restaurant, Kula Lodge & Restaurant, Da Zoo (Moana Caf), Flatbread and Polli’s Mexican Restaurant;

Central Maui – Da Kitchen Caf, McDonald’s Dairy Road, McDonald’s Kahului, Ruby’s Diner and Bistro Casanova.

To learn more about hospice care and Hospice Maui, call 244-5555 or visit www.HospiceMaui.org.