Salinas, CA Hospice Still Growing, But Often Misunderstood: View From An In Home

A new report on the hospice industry from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) from the Annual Utilization Report of Home Health Agencies/Hospices found that utilization continues to grow, up 121% between 2004 and 2013.  The total days used for hospice grew by 56% during the same time frame.  In 2013, 581 hospices filed reports with OSHPD, and there were another 98 in operation who were late on filing.  The leading causes for someone entering hospice were cancer, dementia, and heart problems.  I was happy to see that the vast majority of hospice care was provided in the home.  Many people believe that hospice is a facility that someone goes into to live out their final days.  The truth is that hospice is a service which can be provided anywhere and many people fail to take advantage of it despite the fact that it's paid for by Medicare.  In addition, I think that many people fear that once they enter hospice care it will hasten their death.  Although the program is designed for those with less than six months to live, we have seen many of our clients enter hospice and then rebound and make a full enough recovery that they no longer need hospice care.