Study: Hospice Use Up, but Aggressive Care Still Common
In the past decade, more seniors at the end of life were placed in hospice care, but many of them were moved from hospitals -- where they received aggressive medical treatment -- to such facilities too late to see any benefit, according to a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association. An accompanying editorial said high rates of hospitalization and aggressive treatment at the end of life show the need for better patient-physician communication.
- "Hospice Care Used More, But Often Too Late" (Lloyd, USA Today, 2/5).
- "Aggressive Care Still the Norm for Dying Seniors" (Tran, "Capsules," Kaiser Health News, 2/5).
- "Hospice Use Rises but Aggressive Care Still Common: Study" (Evans, Modern Healthcare, 2/5).