Dear Dr. Levister:  My 87-year-old mother is terminally ill. She suffers from acute respiratory failure. Our usually close-knit family is in an uproar over whether to allow her to receive home hospice care. What's your advice?  Frustrated!

Dear Frustrated: Hospice represents a compassionate approach to end-of-life care.  Although death is a natural part of life, the thought of dying still terrifies many people.

You may imagine pain and loneliness, spending your final days in a cold, sterile environment far from family friends and all you know and love. 

Dr. Ernest Levister Jr.

Like it or not many African-Americans tend to rely on their spirituality and faith communities when dealing with serious illness. Studies show most minorities and immigrants believe the best person(s) to care for a dying family member is a member of the family.

In 2005, 82.2 percent of those receiving hospice care were white, while 7.5 percent identified themselves as Black or African-American, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.  About 75 percent of the nation is white, while about 12 percent is Black, according to the Census Bureau.

Many in the hospice community are reaching out to Blacks and the growing Hispanic population. Some hospices have ongoing awareness programs in Black and Latino churches.

You may be surprised to learn that hospice care generally costs less than inpatient care in a hospital, nursing home or other facility.

Visit the Hospice and Palliative Care database online.  Once you've compiled a list of hospice resources in your area, call a family meeting. Ask a hospice representative to attend. Ask family members to submit questions before the meeting. Allow everyone to air their wishes and concerns. Your final decision must be based on one question:

How best to enable your loved one to live their last days to the fullest, with purpose, dignity, grace and support?