All About Hospice for Hospice and Palliative Care Month, Part 2, Heartbeat Episode 263

In part 2 of our series in celebration of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, we’re discussing current trends in hospice in the U.S.  Hospice has changed through the years.  While we still take care of cancer patients, we also see patients at end of life with other diagnoses - cardiac, dementia, respiratory, stroke, and kidney (renal) conditions.  According to NHPCO Facts and Figures report from 2020, Over half of hospice patients in the US are on service for 30 days or less , and a quarter of hospice patients receive care for 7 days or less.  Staffing is a challenge for hospice agencies, and for the first time, agencies might be asking new patients to go on waiting lists.  The pandemic created challenges (access to PPE, restrictions on visits) and changes (waivers, telemedicine).  Hospice teams are still dedicated, making changes, finding new ways to provide quality care.  We’re grateful for the diligence of hospice agencies all across the U.S. and for the trust our patients place in us.  Hang in there, everybody!  No matter where you are in your hospice journey, you are The Heart of Hospice.  

Find the most current NHPCO FActs and Figures Report here:

https://www.nhpco.org/hospice-facts-figures/

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