Hospice Care Underused Despite Life-Improving Benefits

The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern NJ (VNANNJ) is spearheading a crucial public awareness campaign to address the significant underutilization of hospice care in the United States. Despite being available for over four decades, hospice services remain poorly understood and often accessed too late, with the median length of hospice care being just 18 days and approximately 20% of patients enrolled less than four days before death according to U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data. VNANNJ President and CEO Faith F. Scott emphasizes the need for "a compassionate but candid dialogue" to dispel myths and increase understanding of hospice as a life-affirming service that improves and extends the final phase of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses.

Scott highlights several critical misconceptions that contribute to hospice underutilization, including the false belief that hospice hastens death and the reality that many physicians struggle with end-of-life conversations, sometimes delaying or avoiding hospice referrals entirely. The organization stresses that patients or their designated decision-makers can directly request hospice services even if physicians hesitate, and encourages families to educate themselves about hospice fundamentals before a crisis occurs. VNANNJ's comprehensive approach includes promoting their full-service home health care and hospice model, which allows for seamless transitions from standard care to palliative care and hospice when needed, significantly reducing stress and discomfort for both patients and family caregivers.

As a leading nonprofit provider with 127 years of experience, VNANNJ serves residents across more than 140 municipalities in Morris, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren Counties through a multidisciplinary team including physicians, nurses, certified home health aides, licensed social workers, chaplains, and specially trained volunteers. The organization provides personalized assistance addressing physical, emotional, practical, and spiritual needs, with services ranging from skilled nursing and therapy to caregiver support and counseling. For those seeking more information or a free consultation, they can visit vnannj.org or call 1-800-WE VISIT to access these vital resources and begin understanding how hospice can provide meaningful support during life's most challenging transitions.