Statistics

The hospice care industry in the US has grown to become a significant provider of end-of-life care to Americans. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization states that in the past 10 years, the number of people enrolled in hospice programs more than tripled and the demand for services will continue to grow as the population age continues to increase. The primary market service area in Sheboygan County is predicted to see this growth during the next 25 years, as well as see an increase in the aging of the population.

By 2010, the first "Baby Boomers", 75 million strong, will turn age 65. The "biggest generation" will become the largest aging population in our history. Demand for Hospice care, already increasing in Sheboygan County, will suddenly soar especially with the growing number of patients that live alone or without adequate caregiver support. A National Gallup Survey done for the National Hospice Organization found that 9 out of 10 adults would prefer to be cared for at home rather than in a hospital or nursing home if diagnosed with a terminal illness. However, in 2003, approximately 50 percent of Americans died at the hospital, 25 percent died in a nursing home and only 25 percent died at home. Also, according to the survey results, the biggest fear associated with death was "being a burden to family and friends." However, 90 percent of the survey respondents believe it is the family's responsibility to care for the dying. This information highlights the conflicts that we face about end of life care issues and making our plans especially when more and more terminally ill patients do not have family members who are able to take on this responsibility.

Other Vital Statistics:


· Patient days in hospice are projected to double over the next 20 years.

· In recent years, inpatient hospice services have experienced high numbers of patient diversions due to being at or above bed capacity.

· Primary disease groups of hospice patients include: cancer, cardiac disease, stroke, Alzheimer disease, and lung disease. In 2003 these disease groups constituted seventy-nine percent of all of Sheboygan County Deaths.

· According to a National Study on palliative care in the Intensive Care Unit setting, eighty percent of Medicare dollars are spent in a patient's last six months of life. Sixty-five percent of those dollars are spent in the last six days of the patient's life.

· The population within Sheboygan County is expected to grow by more than 13,200 people or 12 percent by the year 2025. Conservatively, with our aging population, that translates into an additional 242 patients annually who will be seeking assistance through our hospice program.

· In the Sheboygan County Community, both hospitals as well as home-based hospice programs have begun to identify a need for palliative care for those patients who are suffering the burdens of advanced illness but do not yet qualify for hospice care.