The case for hospice care in long-term care environments

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Palliative Care
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Hospice care is underutilized in long-term care (LTC) settings.
• LTC facilities provide quality services but often lack routine end-of-life care measurement.
• Accountability for high-quality end-of-life care for residents is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the underuse of hospice care in long-term care facilities.
• To emphasize the need for routine measurement of end-of-life care parameters.
• To advocate for accountability of healthcare providers in long-term care.

Main Methods:

• Review of current practices in long-term care regarding end-of-life care.
• Analysis of the importance of measuring pain control, dyspnea, and psychosocial issues.
• Discussion of the benefits of hospice or hospice-like services in LTC.

Main Results:

• Hospice care is not routinely utilized in many long-term care facilities.
• Key end-of-life care aspects like pain and spiritual support require consistent monitoring.
• Benefits of hospice services can be significant in the long-term care environment.

Conclusions:

• Increased hospice utilization in long-term care facilities is recommended.
• Healthcare providers must be accountable for delivering high-quality end-of-life care.
• Policy adjustments to Medicare Hospice Benefits are needed to improve access for LTC residents.