National Alliance for Care at Home and Transcend Strategy Group Publish Rural American Hospice Insights Report

Press Release | Dec. 19, 2024

(Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC) – The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) and Transcend Strategy Group published the results of new research exploring perceptions of hospice care among rural and small-town communities. This survey of 400 people is part of the Alliance’s commitment to health equity and to breaking down barriers to accessing hospice and home care through knowledge sharing, data collection, and collaborative discussion.

Along with key research findings, the Rural American Hospice Insights report offers recommendations for hospice providers to help increase understanding of hospice care and help overcome barriers to access.

Key findings and recommendations include:

Communication and Learning Preferences

  • Key Finding: On average, younger individuals tend to prefer less direct, asynchronous forms of communication like text messaging. Older individuals prefer direct, face-to-face conversations with healthcare providers.
    • Takeaway:How you communicate is just as important as what you communicate. While some people prefer direct, face-to-face interactions with healthcare providers, others prefer less direct types of communication such as texting or via internet portal. Upon intake, be sure to ask about communication preferences and capabilities.

Caregiver Experiences

  • Key Finding: More than three quarters of respondents agreed to some degree that being a caregiver can be mentally and emotionally exhausting, on top of balancing other responsibilities such as childcare and careers. Similarly, nearly three out of five respondents agreed that at times they needed a break from caregiving but were unable to get one.
    • Takeaway: Caregiver burnout is a real phenomenon that should be honored and supported with practical solutions. If feasible, offer companionship visits, especially with dementia patients. Respite care can be an invaluable resource for caregivers/family members who need a few days to figure out their long-term plans.

Hospice Awareness and Beliefs 

  • Key Finding: More than 40% of respondents weren’t able to name at least one hospice provider that serves their community. Familiarity with local hospices is greatest with younger caregivers and least among older caregivers.
    • Takeaway: Ongoing education and marketing of hospice services is needed in rural communities, particularly for older individuals.

Hospice Expectations

  • Key Finding: When asked about their expectations surrounding hospice care, including if hospice workers would respect and understand them and provide non-judgmental care, depending upon age group, between 27% and 42% of respondents had some degree of doubt.
    • Takeaway: To ensure high quality, non-judgmental care is provided, identify local community members or employees (if they volunteer for this) who would be willing to speak to your staff about their cultural traditions and values.
  • Key Finding: When asked to rank, by importance, different features of hospice care, the top stated priority was having hospice be offered wherever the patient lives.
    • Takeaway: Caregivers are looking for flexibility in hospice care, with the ability to have care delivered at home and/or at a nearby location. Both options allow people to continue working, which is especially important to younger caregivers.

National Alliance for Care at Home CEO, Steve Landers, MD, MPH, said, “Ensuring access to high-quality hospice and home care in rural communities is critical. These communities deserve care that is tailored to their unique needs, and in an America where more and more healthcare deserts are arising due to provider closures from inadequate reimbursement, maintaining quality care and continuing to build trust in the care provided is of the utmost importance. The Alliance and its members remain committed to working toward an America where everyone has access to the highest quality, person-centered healthcare wherever they call home.”

Transcend Strategy Group President and CEO, Stephanie Johnston said, “Part of Transcend’s mission is to ensure people have greater access to the best possible care, and our partnership with the Alliance to tap into the needs of rural communities truly spoke to our hearts. The Alliance’s commitment to ensuring access to the highest quality care possible for all Americans is inspiring. We are honored to contribute our skills and expertise to this project and look forward to more ways we can collectively impact the industry in a positive way.”

The report is available to all through the Alliance website.

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