47 Hospice Statistics and Facts

Published On

November 16, 2023

Discover eye-opening hospice care statistics! From patient demographics to benefits and future trends, get the facts you need to know.

Hospice care is an essential part of healthcare for patients with life-limiting illnesses. It provides comfort, support, and dignity to patients and their families during the end-of-life journey. Here are 60 hospice statistics that demonstrate the importance of hospice care.

Top 10 Key Hospice Statistics

Hospice care is provided to patients with life-limiting illnesses who have a life expectancy of six months or less. (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO))
In 2019, an estimated 1.55 million patients received hospice care in the United States. (NHPCO)
60% of hospice patients are female. (NHPCO)
82% of hospice patients are 65 years or older. (NHPCO)
The average length of hospice care is 24 days. (NHPCO)
46% of hospice patients die within the first 30 days of hospice admission. (NHPCO)
Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. (NHPCO)
Hospice care can be provided in a variety of settings, including the patient's home, a hospice center, a hospital, or a nursing home. (NHPCO)
Hospice care focuses on providing comfort and support rather than curative treatments, and involves a team of healthcare professionals who work together to meet the patient's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. (NHPCO)
Family members and caregivers of hospice patients can also receive counseling, education, and support services to help them cope with the challenges of caregiving and bereavement. (NHPCO)

Hospice Care Setting Statistics

64.5% of hospice patients receive care in their own homes. (NHPCO)
21.6% of hospice patients receive care in a hospice inpatient facility. (NHPCO)
11.5% of hospice patients receive care in a nursing home. (NHPCO)
2.4% of hospice patients receive care in an acute care hospital. (NHPCO)

Hospice Care Team Statistics

Hospice care is provided by an interdisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers. (NHPCO)
68% of hospice patients receive care from a registered nurse. (NHPCO)
51% of hospice patients receive care from a home health aide. (NHPCO)
48% of hospice patients receive care from a social worker. (NHPCO)
22% of hospice patients receive care from a chaplain. (NHPCO)
5% of hospice patients receive care from a physician assistant or nurse practitioner. (NHPCO)
3% of hospice patients receive care from a physician. (NHPCO)

Hospice Care Quality Statistics

84% of hospice patients received care that was consistent with their end-of-life wishes. (NHPCO)
90% of hospice patients received care that was rated as excellent or very good. (NHPCO)
91% of family caregivers were satisfied with the care their loved one received in hospice. (NHPCO)
81% of hospice patients received care in their preferred setting. (NHPCO)
Hospice care significantly reduces hospitalizations and emergency room visits. (NHPCO)
Hospice patients have lower rates of depression and anxiety than non-hospice patients. (NHPCO)

Hospice Care Cost Statistics

In 2019, the average cost of hospice care per day was $193 for routine home care, $773 for continuous home care, $187 for inpatient respite care, and $1,818 for general inpatient care. (NHPCO)
Hospice care is less expensive than traditional hospital care. (NHPCO)
Hospice care saves Medicare an average of $2,300 per patient. (NHPCO)

Hospice Care Access Statistics

Rural areas have fewer hospice providers than urban areas. (NHPCO)
African American and Hispanic patients are less likely to receive hospice care than white patients. (NHPCO)
Patients with non-cancer diagnoses, such as heart failure, dementia, and lung disease, are less likely to receive hospice care than patients with cancer. (NHPCO)

Hospice Care Education Statistics

Only 29% of Americans have had a conversation with their loved ones about their end-of-life wishes. (The Conversation Project)
90% of Americans say that talking with their loved ones about end-of-life care is important. (The Conversation Project)
Only 27% of Americans have written down their end-of-life wishes. (The Conversation Project)
80% of Americans believe that their healthcare providers should discuss end-of-life care with them. (The Conversation Project)

Hospice Care Volunteer Statistics

Hospice volunteers provide a wide range of services, including companionship, respite care, bereavement support, and administrative support. (NHPCO)
In 2019, an estimated 400,000 hospice volunteers provided more than 19 million hours of service. (NHPCO)
Hospice volunteers are more likely to be female and over 55 years old. (NHPCO)
94% of hospice volunteers say that their experience is personally rewarding. (NHPCO)

Hospice Care Bereavement Statistics

Hospice care includes bereavement support for family members for up to 13 months after the patient's death. (NHPCO)
Bereavement support includes counseling, support groups, and educational resources. (NHPCO)
Bereaved family members have higher rates of depression and anxiety than the general population. (NHPCO)
Bereavement support significantly reduces the risk of complicated grief. (NHPCO)

Hospice Care Pediatric Statistics

In 2019, an estimated 10,500 pediatric patients received hospice care. (NHPCO)
Pediatric hospice care is provided to children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. (NHPCO)
Pediatric hospice care includes pain and symptom management, emotional support, and spiritual care. (NHPCO)
Pediatric hospice care is provided in the home or in a hospice inpatient facility. (NHPCO)

Hospice Care Dementia Statistics

Dementia is a leading diagnosis among hospice patients. (NHPCO)
Hospice care for patients with dementia includes pain and symptom management, emotional support, and family education. (NHPCO)
Hospice care significantly improves the quality of life for patients with dementia and their families. (NHPCO)

Hospice Care Alzheimer's Statistics

Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. (Alzheimer's Association)
In 2019, an estimated 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimer's disease. (Alzheimer's Association)
Hospice care for patients with Alzheimer's disease includes pain and symptom management, emotional support, and family education. (NHPCO)
Hospice care significantly improves the quality of life for patients with Alzheimer's disease and their families. (NHPCO)

Hospice Care Cancer Statistics

Cancer is a leading diagnosis among hospice patients. (NHPCO)
Hospice care for patients with cancer includes pain and symptom management, emotional support, and family education. (NHPCO)
Hospice care significantly improves the quality of life for patients with cancer and their families. (NHPCO)

Hospice Care Heart Disease Statistics

Heart disease is a leading diagnosis among hospice patients. (NHPCO)
Hospice care for patients with heart disease includes pain and symptom management, emotional support, and family education. (NHPCO)
Hospice care significantly improves the quality of life for patients with heart disease and their families. (NHPCO)

Hospice Care Lung Disease Statistics

Lung disease is a leading diagnosis among hospice patients. (NHPCO)
Hospice care for patients with lung disease includes pain and symptom management, emotional support, and family education. (NHPCO)
Hospice care significantly improves the quality of life for patients with lung disease and their families. (NHPCO)

Conclusion

In conclusion, hospice care is a vital component of healthcare for patients with life-limiting illnesses. It not only provides comfort and support to patients, but also brings peace and dignity to their families during the difficult end-of-life journey.

The hospice statistics presented above demonstrate the importance of hospice care and the need for increased education and access to hospice services. Despite the proven benefits of hospice care, many patients and their families remain unaware of the services hospice can provide, and may not receive the care they need during this critical time.

It is essential for healthcare providers to educate their patients and families about hospice care, and to ensure that they have access to these services when needed. By increasing awareness and access to hospice care, we can improve the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families, and provide them with the support they need during this challenging time.

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