Hospice Use by Older Adults Knocking on the Door of the Nursing Facility: Implications for Social Work Practice

Since 1983, federal funding has been available for hospice services. However, research studies have found that hospice is underutilized by people with terminal illnesses and their families. Low-income older adults are particularly at risk for underutilization. This study examined utilization of hosp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of social work in end-of-life & palliative care 2007-09, Vol.3 (2), p.19-38
Main Authors: Chapin, Rosemary K., Gordon, Theresa, Landry, Sarah, Rachlin, Roxanne
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access
Activities of Daily Living
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Application
barriers to hospice utilization
decision-making
Elderly
Family
Female
Health Care Utilization
Health Services Accessibility - organization & administration
Homes for the Aged
Hospice
hospice access
Hospice Care - utilization
hospice social work
Hospices
Humans
Low income elderly people
Male
Medicaid - statistics & numerical data
Nursing Homes
Residence Characteristics
Sex Factors
Social Work - organization & administration
Terminal Illness
Terminally ill elderly people
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Summary:Since 1983, federal funding has been available for hospice services. However, research studies have found that hospice is underutilized by people with terminal illnesses and their families. Low-income older adults are particularly at risk for underutilization. This study examined utilization of hospice services by nursing home applicants in one Midwestern state. Characteristics of users and non-users, and potential barriers to hospice use were examined. Findings further document that hospice is underutilized, especially by the Medicaid population, and point to barriers to hospice utilization. Specific recommendations are made to help practitioners increase hospice access.
ISSN:1552-4256
1552-4264
DOI:10.1300/J457v03n02_03