New Jersey Study Reveals Statewide Racial Disparities in Hospice Referrals

Race and socioeconomic status continue to deepen disparities in access to end-of-life care across the country. Recent research from Rutgers University-New Brunswick in New Jersey has revealed gaps in hospice referrals and palliative care consultations among underserved patient populations in the state. African-American and Hispanic patients had “significantly lower odds” of receiving a hospice referral […]

Value-Based Care May Open Doors to Hospice Among Underserved

Value-based care programs could be bridges closing gaps to accessing hospice care among underserved populations. Several hospices are honing in on expanding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, as the pandemic further illuminates disparities in the U.S. health care system, often based on race or socio-economic factors.  In response, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) […]

Hospices Working to Reach Mentally Ill, Homeless

Hospice providers are working to expand resources, services and programs for people who are homeless or experiencing housing insecurity. Homeless seniors are an overlooked and underserved population in the U.S. health care system, including hospice, facing an array of barriers preventing access. The high prevalence of mental illness among the homeless further complicates hospice providers’ […]

Hospices Compete for Staff in Job Seekers’ Market

Hospice providers are competing more intensely to fill their ranks from a smaller pool of prospective employees. Hospices will need to offer flexible schedules, mental health support and a diverse and inclusive culture to attract and retain staff in what has become a job seekers’ market. Workforce shortages have long predated the coronavirus pandemic, but […]

Providers Strategize to Close Racial Gaps in Hospice Care

While several health care providers have expanded their diversity initiatives to bridge racial divides, hospices have much room to grow in fostering stronger connections with underserved communities of color. Hospice providers who participated in a recent nationwide study indicated that increasing staff diversity and developing committees dedicated to diversity initiatives were strategies yielding the most […]