Family Caregiving and Psychosocial Support in Hospice and Palliative Care: A Social Work Perspective

Family caregiving and psychosocial support are essential components of high-quality hospice and palliative care. This review examined family caregiving and psychosocial support in hospice and palliative care from a social work perspective. Specifically, it reviewed the current evidence on family caregiving and psychosocial interventions for family caregivers, re-examined the evolving role of hospice social workers, and discussed implications for future research, practice, and policy in hospice social work. Evidence has indicated that psychosocial interventions effectively reduce caregivers' psychological distress, depression, and anxiety while improving their quality of life and family communication. However, caregiving burden remains a multidimensional challenge that cannot be adequately addressed through psychosocial interventions alone, highlighting the need for structural and community-based support. The review also found that hospice social workers are key providers of psychosocial counseling, caregiving burden assessment, resource coordination, communication facilitation, and decision-making support. Nevertheless, role ambiguity, workforce shortages, and limited institutional recognition remain significant barriers to the delivery of comprehensive family-centered hospice care. Strengthening the evidence base for hospice social work will not only enhance the professional recognition of hospice social workers but also improve the quality of hospice and palliative care by advancing comprehensive patient- and family-centered care.