The Hospice Industry is facing a new challenge… and it’s a demographic challenge. Hospice services are severely underutilized by minority patients. And it’s getting worse.
It’s my experience that Hospice is underutilized in our general population because of misconceptions. It’s unfortunate that many feel that Hospice services are only for those who are going to imminently pass.
But it is important for everyone to know that Hospice does Not equal Death!
Two leading hospice and home health care providers are working to reverse this trend and expand into this underserved community. The Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY) and Miami-based VITAS Healthcare have both launched separate, innovative initiatives at the local and national levels—and they appear to be working to address the racial disparity in hospice care.
Both providers agree the use of hospice among minorities is far too low, likely because of misconceptions that permeate communities. “There is legitimate fear,” Drayton said. “People don’t know that about 60% of hospice care is provided in the home and that it’s not a place to die but a place to live in comfort in our final days, weeks and months.“
To ease those misperceptions, VNSNY coordinates with religious leaders, policymakers, doctors, hospitals and those who prepare patient care plans and other “community influencers” who interact with residents on a daily basis, she said.
Hospice care is one of the best Medicaid services available. Hospice care can reduce readmissions to hospitals, provide palliative and comfort care and provide additional resources for the family. And it actually extends life over continued aggressive treatment.
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