No family should have to navigate serious illness alone

April 20, 2025
Nichole Goble
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For too many Floridians living with serious illness, accessing high-quality hospice care remains a challenge. Families are left struggling to find the support they need, and patients are forced to navigate complex medical decisions without adequate guidance. In Florida, this gap is especially pronounced, leaving thousands without the specialized care that could improve their quality of life.

Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is dedicated to advocating for caregivers and their loved ones. We believe every family should have access to the full spectrum of care options, including hospice care, which provides relief from pain and symptoms, emotional support, and care coordination for those facing serious illnesses. I personally have cared for a loved one receiving hospice care and understand firsthand how impactful it is for families and patients alike. When my grandfather transitioned to hospice care towards the end of his battle with bone cancer, my family and I were overwhelmed with the difficult emotions and equally difficult decisions we had to navigate. Our priority was to honor my grandfather’s wishes to be at home and ensure he was as comfortable as possible.

Living in a rural area, bringing in hospice support to the home ensured that family could more easily be with him on a continuous basis. I stayed with my grandfather during the weekdays and the support the visiting nurse provided made tasks that I was not physically able to do manageable. They also provided support when I needed to learn about his oxygen machine or how to help him get adjusted in the medical bed we had for him. They also ended every visit by asking how I and my family were doing, and if there was anything else we needed.

This year, CAN has engaged over 65,000 caregivers across the state of Florida to better understand their priorities when it comes to hospice care and the benefits of integrated health systems, with over 28,000 of those being in Hendry, Lee, Pinellas, Glades, and connected counties.

Hospice care is not just about comfort — it is an essential component of a high-functioning healthcare system. Studies show that patients receiving hospice care experience fewer hospitalizations, improved symptom management, and greater peace of mind. Families are given the resources they need to care for their loved ones, reducing burnout and ensuring that patients receive the care they deserve. Despite these clear benefits, access to hospice care services remains inconsistent, leaving families without support.

The coverage gap in parts of The Sunshine State is worth addressing. Many families must rely on emergency rooms or hospitals for symptom management, rather than having access to in-home or community-based hospice care services that could provide more effective and compassionate support. This lack of access not only places unnecessary strain on caregivers but also leads to unnecessary discomfort and pain for patients.

We have an opportunity to change this reality by ensuring that families in need can access these vital services. But the right choice must be made — one that prioritizes quality, experience, and innovative patient care models over simple expansion. Policymakers, healthcare leaders, and community advocates should support efforts to raise the standard of hospice care, ensuring that every Floridian — regardless of their location — receives the dignity, support, and compassionate care they deserve.

No family should have to navigate serious illness alone. I hope our officials will choose to provide the best care for our loved ones when it matters most.

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Nichole Goble is Caregiver Action Network’s Director of Community Initiatives for Florida and the Southeast U.S.

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