Hospice Keys

04/03/2026

Technology is changing incredibly fast.

But there’s an important question that often gets overlooked: Can everyone keep up with that pace of change?

A recent article in Washington Post talks about the growing idea of “technology caregiving.” Even older adults who are fully independent may need help navigating devices, apps, and digital systems.

Not because they aren’t capable. But because technology keeps evolving.

It’s a reminder that good design matters.

Technology should make life simpler and more accessible, especially as our population ages.

As the tech industry shifts toward artificial intelligence agents and generative user interfaces, helping loved ones use digital tools will become more difficult.

04/02/2026

Family caregivers play a huge role in supporting loved ones with serious illness.

They help with medications, appointments, daily routines, and often make it possible for someone to remain at home during serious illness or at the end of life.

But caregiving can also bring emotional, financial, and time pressures for families.

A recent survey highlights just how widespread caregiving has become in the United States.

I wrote a short reflection about what this might mean as our population continues to age.

#

Millions of Americans provide the "quiet workforce" for home-based care. Explore how recent Pew Research data on family caregiving impacts the hospice model.

04/01/2026

"I don't get to feel this good very often." ❤️

Those were the words of one veteran after experiencing a Virtual Reality (VR) session while in hospice care.

A new study highlights how VR is being used to bring the world to patients who are bedbound, allowing them to travel to European destinations or "walk" through beautiful landscapes from their bedside.

Why is this so important for hospice care?
- It fights isolation. VR provides a way to "escape" the clinical environment and engage in life-review and reminiscence.
- It brightens the day. 82% of veterans in the study said the experience improved their day.
- It's accessible. Even patients with cognitive impairments or physical limitations were able to enjoy these peaceful, guided experiences with the right support.

This technology provides a new way to support the "whole person" during end-of-life care. Technology like VR isn't just about the "cool factor." It’s about dignity, joy, and meaningful connection.

Results demonstrate the use of VR to facilitate meaningful engagement and improve psychological well-being for veterans receiving HPC. Additionally, opportunities for socialization and reminiscence, even while bedbound, increased. These findings support further exploration of VR as an intervention i...

03/31/2026

A recent study suggests that physicians are slightly more likely to die at home or in hospice compared with the general population and other professions. The difference, however, was not statistically significant.

This is interesting because many assume medical training leads doctors to choose hospice or home death more often. It highlights how complex end-of-life decisions really are and reminds us why quality hospice care matters for everyone, regardless of background.

What are the implications for how we talk about end-of-life choices?

1. In this cross-sectional study, physicians were slightly more likely to die at home or in hospice than both the general population and individuals in other professions. 2. The largest absolute differences between physicians and other professional groups were observed when Alzheimer disease or stro...

03/30/2026

When a patient’s physical world begins to shrink, technology can help it grow.

In our latest blog, we look at how Virtual Reality, AI, and social robotics are helping hospice patients find joy, reduce boredom, and stay connected to the things they love.

Check out the full post on how innovative use of technology can add life to days.

Discover how VR and non-traditional tech reduce hospice boredom and improve mood for veterans. Explore the future of digital comfort and palliative innovation.

03/30/2026

03/29/2026

Medical social workers. Caring for the human aspects of illness.

03/28/2026

NPHI is urging CMS to impose a temporary nationwide moratorium on new hospice provider enrollments in response to ongoing hospice fraud.

There is no question that fraud must be stopped.

But -- Does a nationwide moratorium risk penalizing the entire hospice industry, including high-quality, mission-driven providers, and limiting access for patients and families who need hospice care?

Fraud should be addressed aggressively. But any policy response should also protect:

- patient access
- community-based hospice care
- ethical providers
- public trust in the hospice benefit

How should CMS balance fraud prevention with access to timely, high-quality hospice care?

Home News PR Newswire Leading National Hospice Association Calls on CMS to Enact Temporary Nationwide Moratorium on New Hospice Provider Enrollments to Stop Fraudulent Operators Leading National Hospice Association Calls on CMS to Enact Temporary Nationwide Moratorium on New Hospice Provider Enrollm...

03/27/2026

Patients want honest conversations about end-of-life care, yet those conversations still happen too late far too often.

In healthcare, clinicians are trained to diagnose, treat, cure, and keep going. That commitment is essential, but it can also make it harder to talk openly about dying. When death is viewed as a medical failure instead of a natural part of life, conversations about planning, priorities, and quality of life are often delayed or avoided altogether.

This article underscores an important reality: many patients want to discuss their wishes and goals of care, but too many never have that opportunity with their doctors. When those conversations do not happen, patients may lose the chance to clearly express what matters most to them and families are often left facing major decisions without enough guidance or preparation.

There has been progress. Palliative care, communication training, and public awareness have all gained more attention over time. But significant barriers still remain.

These conversations matter because they help patients feel heard, families feel supported, and care teams provide care that reflects the whole person, not just the diagnosis.

PDF | Conversations about death and dying are a crucial part of all medical care and are particularly relevant in the field of oncology. Patients... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate

03/27/2026

A recent podcast discussion highlighted several important issues facing hospice and palliative care today.

One of the biggest themes was the importance of protecting the mission and trust behind hospice care. While many hospice organizations provide extraordinary care, reports of fraud and rapid expansion in some areas can damage public perception of the entire field.

The conversation also explored changes in hospice quality measurement, including the HOPE tool that aims to more effectively measure patient outcomes.

Another concern raised was the future of research and workforce development in serious illness care. Supporting the next generation of researchers and clinicians is essential for improving patient and family care.

Finally, the speakers emphasized the importance of leadership and advocacy in hospice. The field cannot simply react to policy and industry changes; it must actively shape them.

Hospice has always been about compassion, dignity, and interdisciplinary care. Protecting those values is essential as the field continues to evolve.

On this week's podcast our discussions focus on concerning trends in hospice with guests Chris Comeaux and Cordt Kassner.

03/26/2026

Hospice care is often associated with nurses, physicians, and aides. But social workers are also a vital part of the interdisciplinary hospice team.

Hospice social workers provide emotional support, help families navigate complex decisions, connect patients with resources, and advocate for patient wishes during serious illness. They also help families prepare for the future and offer guidance during grief and bereavement.

This short video gives some insight into the role social workers play in hospice care and how they support patients and families during one of life’s most challenging times.

During Social Work Month, Mālama Ola Health Services is recognizing the vital role hospice social workers play in supporting patients and families through th...

03/24/2026

Artificial intelligence is becoming more common in elder care. Voice assistants can remind patients to take medications, answer questions, check in with people living alone, and even provide conversation to help reduce loneliness.

These tools can be helpful. They can support independence and extend the reach of caregivers.

But they also raise an important question: When should technology take the lead and when should a human step in?

AI may work well for simple tasks like reminders or information. But caregiving often involves much more than that. It involves recognizing emotion, understanding fear or uncertainty, and helping patients and families navigate difficult moments.

For people facing serious illness or the end of life, those human connections matter deeply.

Technology can support care, but it cannot replace empathy, presence, and the relationships that help patients feel seen and supported.

As AI becomes more integrated into healthcare, it is important to think carefully about where technology helps and where human care must remain at the center.

While AI voice assistants in elder care can help monitor aging parents, relying on artificial empathy risks creating an illusion of care that replaces real human connection.