Caring for a loved one with a serious illness is one of the most difficult experiences a family faces.

April 9, 2025
Marvell Adams Jr.
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With Florida having one of the highest senior populations, there is a critical need for comprehensive hospice care. Throughout my 20+ years of experience as a nursing home administrator and senior living executive, I have witnessed firsthand the vital importance of integrating the caregiver journey with comprehensive hospice care. I’ve seen this hundreds of times, and in nearly every instance, hospice care has created better pathways for navigating end-of-life care and increased support that is as much for the caregiver as it is for the care recipient.

Across Florida, there are 2.3 million caregivers who navigate this reality every day, often without support. In today’s complex healthcare environment, several key factors can help alleviate the burden of caring for loved ones at home.

Tailor care for specific needs

Patients need compassionate, disease-specific care pathways tailored to their unique needs. Whether a patient is facing cancer, heart failure, or advanced Alzheimer’s, their care plan should be designed specifically for the likely trajectory of their condition, ensuring symptoms are managed effectively and that they receive emotional support. When care is tailored in this way, patients experience better symptom relief, fewer unnecessary hospital visits, lower treatment costs and more meaningful time with their families.

Access to a network of providers

A team of experts working together should coordinate hospice care. Caregivers should have access to nurses, medical directors, social workers and specialists who collaborate to provide the best care. For instance, Gentiva, a leading hospice provider already serving 12,000 Florida families, does just this by working hand-in-hand with patients’ primary care physicians and medical teams. A well-integrated team ensures proactive care and that the patient’s wishes are honored.

Prioritize the needs of family caregivers

Family caregivers bear the brunt of responsibility for managing their loved one’s care — coordinating doctor visits, administering medications and making critical decisions with little support. The right hospice provider ensures that families are not left to struggle alone. 24/7 access to in-person registered nurses gives peace of mind that medical professionals are always available when needed. A system that provides around-the-clock support ensures that caregivers have the resources and backup they need to focus on what matters most: spending quality time with their loved one.

Ensuring Floridians have access to quality hospice care helps control financial and personal costs across the state. Research indicates that patients under hospice care have fewer hospital admissions, better symptom control and improved mental well-being. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration has an opportunity to ensure that hospice care is available to those who need it most, but the state must also ensure that the highest quality providers are the ones filling this gap. Families in Florida deserve hospice care that not only provides comfort to patients but also supports the caregivers by their side every step of the way.

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Marvell Adams, Jr. is the CEO of the Caregiver Action Network

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