National Alliance for Care at Home Publishes CONNECT to Care Report

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia & WASHINGTON—The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) published the results of new research conducted by Transcend Strategy Group exploring perceptions of hospice care among underserved communities. This research compiles findings from a series of surveys of 2,000 people and explores perceptions of hospice care among Black, Hispanic, Asian American, LGBTQ+ and rural communities.  

Using the CONNECT acronym—Communication, Outcomes, Network, Nurture, Engagement, Collaboration and Transparency—the report aims to help providers support equitable, inclusive and comprehensive access to care and is part of the Alliance’s ongoing commitment to increasing access to hospice and homecare through knowledge sharing, data collection and collaborative discussion.  

Along with key research findings, CONNECT to Care offers recommendations for hospice providers to help increase understanding of hospice care and help overcome barriers to access.  

Preview a few key recommendations from the report:  

• Communication: Upon intake, be sure to ask about communication preferences and capabilities to ensure seamless communication with patients, families and caregivers. If needed, gather contact information for multiple contacts in the event that signal challenges exist.
• Outcomes: Implement culturally relevant community outreach to improve awareness of hospice care options, which could lead to increased enrollment and earlier access to quality end-of-life care.
• Network: Recognizing the influence of personal networks in health care decisions, hospice organizations should develop tailored communication strategies that align with community-specific trust patterns. This includes leveraging faith leaders for Black and Hispanic communities, social media and community groups for rural populations and culturally specific decision-making preferences among Asian subgroups.  
• Nurture: Hospice organizations should clearly communicate their spiritual and religious care offerings, ensuring patients and families understand that chaplains provide support based on individual needs, not religious conversion.
• Engagement: Be mindful that respectful treatment varies based on cultural norms and family dynamics and the unique needs of each individual. Use the teach-back method to ensure understanding and informed consent, especially for non-native speakers.
• Collaboration: Care organizations have an opportunity to provide education about hospice by engaging local community sources and educational institutions (e.g. libraries, community colleges) that promote courses for people age 55+.
• Transparency: Provide ongoing education about hospice services and the dying process, particularly for older individuals and underserved communities. This should include in-person conversations with patients and families, utilizing non-medical language and addressing any questions. 

“Increasing access to hospice and all care at home to meet the growing needs of our aging population is crucial,” Alliance CEO Steve Landers said. “By exploring the specific barriers that impact access to care by historically underserved communities, we can co-create a future where care is uniquely tailored to meet the needs of each individual and their loved ones. The Alliance and its members remain committed to working toward an America where everyone has access to the highest quality, person-centered health care wherever they call home.”

The report is available to all through the Alliance website.