Key Stats Shaping the Landscape:
• 1.72M Medicare beneficiaries received hospice care in 2022
• Nearly 50% of Medicare decedents were enrolled in hospice
• Adults 85+ have the highest hospice utilization at 61.8%
• Most care (up to 90%) occurs in the home
• Still, 40% or more patients arrive too late, often within their final week
These numbers highlight both the progress in end-of-life care and the urgent need for earlier referrals, greater awareness, and equitable access.
Hospice and palliative care are not about giving up — they’re about prioritizing comfort, reducing suffering, and supporting families through one of life’s most vulnerable moments.
Let’s use this month to elevate education, uplift the work of hospice teams, and ensure more families understand the support available to them. 💜
