Many of those who have died from site-related illnesses have turned to hospice care in their final days.
Phil Alvarez, brother of retired NYPD Detective Lou Alvarez, who advocated for the reauthorization of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund that now bears his name, talked to Jim Parker of Hospice News about Lou’s last days, and how hospice care helped him.
Phil Alvarez, director of 9/11 outreach and education for a law firm, said, “Hospices all over need to be looking for these patients, and it’s good business for them. The patients will have the coverage. The funding is there for them, and it pays for the industry to know it.”
“[Hospice] was just a blessing of an experience. It’s something you want to go to the highest mountain top and tell people: Think about hospice, and don’t wait until it is too late.”
