In many cultures, hospice care is not fully understood due to language or cultural barriers. Every patient and family seeking hospice care should be able to learn about the services provided and discuss their options in a language they can understand. In fact, it is a federal requirement that healthcare providers make linguistically competent interpreters available whenever possible. Family members should not be relied upon to provide technical medical information to their ill family members.

In the Chinese-American population, cultural traditions may complicate end-of-life decisions and care. Hospice Foundation of America, with support from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) partnered with the Chinese American Coalition for Compassionate Care to help educate the Chinese-American population about options at the end of life. Loving Life...Understanding Hospice is the product of that partnership. 

Chinese Language Tip Sheets:
Understanding Hospice Care
What to Know About Caregiving 
Myths About Pain
What to Know About Grief

In addition, HFA provides two interviews with Chinese-Americans who talk about hospice care in the Chinese-American community (Millie Ye Yip and Nellie Kwan).







Cultures also hold different beliefs about grief and mourning and have varied reactions because of those beliefs. The Chinese language special issue of Journeys, in Mandarin Chinese, addresses grief for Chinese-Americans who remain close to their cultural roots.