Social Workers Adapt to Hospice Care In a Pandemic

The ongoing social isolation and distancing measures to reduce spread of the coronavirus pandemic has challenged a vital element of social and psychosocial services in the realm of hospice care. As the outbreak continues impacting communities throughout the nation, hospice social workers have become adaptive to continue serving patients and families in need.

At the pandemic’s early onset, hospice providers entered a battle to minimize spread among their patient populations at highest risk of COVID-19’s most severe impacts. As the primary focus drew towards protecting hospice patients and staff while continuing care, nonmedical areas such as social work and psychosocial