Recent reports indicate that minorities are statistically less likely to use hospice care, and experts believe that cultural factors play a large part in this statistic. The offer for hospice care is not always seen as a way to receive medical care in the comfort of one’s home, but rather, it may be perceived as an effort to deny medical care on the basis of race. According to Jon Radulovic, VP of Communications for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, “Some people think that if a doctor wants them to stay home and not come into the hospital, that the medical system isn’t truly concerned about them.” However, recent efforts have focused on educating minority groups on the benefits and comforts that hospice care can provide. Hospices have begun providing informational materials in various languages as well as reaching out to religious leaders in the minority communities. In addition, hospices are also trying to hire more minority employees to make themselves more multicultural.
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