For the first time since before the pandemic, more than half of Medicare patients at the end of life are receiving hospice care. This is a powerful milestone, showing that more people are recognizing the comfort, dignity, and support hospice can bring to patients and families during life’s most difficult moments.
Here in Florida, that number is even higher. In 2024 alone, more than 116,000 Floridians received hospice care, with utilization rates topping 60% in some regions. Florida is home to 94 licensed hospice programs and 57 providers, and the state consistently ranks among the top in the nation for quality of care. Florida currently sits sixth in overall hospice quality rankings and second in the national hospice care index — a reflection of the compassionate, patient-centered care being delivered across the state.
But beyond the numbers, hospice is about people — about the patients finding comfort, the families finding peace, and the caregivers offering dignity and love every single day.
At Gulfside Hospice, founded in Pasco County and now serving surrounding Tampa Bay communities, that commitment is at the heart of everything we do. Our team of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers work together to provide whole-person care. That means:
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Medical care and pain management to ease symptoms and help patients live as fully as possible.
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Emotional and spiritual support for patients and families, no matter their beliefs or background.
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Caregiver support and respite to give families peace of mind and time to rest.
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Bereavement counseling for loved ones, offering comfort and guidance long after the patient’s journey.
Hospice care isn’t just about the final days — it’s about making the time that remains meaningful. Yet, many patients still enter hospice late. In 2023, more than half of hospice stays lasted less than a month, which means families may not experience the full benefits hospice has to offer. At Gulfside, we continue to educate the community about the importance of accessing hospice earlier, so families can take advantage of the full circle of care available to them.
Of course, challenges remain across the state. Florida, like much of the nation, faces a shortage of hospice and palliative care workers. Many providers are nearing retirement, and burnout is common in this demanding field. At the same time, public awareness of hospice is still lower than it could be — leaving some families unsure of when, or how, to seek support.
Even with these challenges, Florida continues to shine as a leader in hospice care, and Gulfside is proud to be part of that story. Every day, we walk alongside families in Tampa Bay, offering high-quality, compassionate care that reflects Florida’s reputation as a national model for hospice and palliative care.
Because at the end of the day, hospice is about more than healthcare. It’s about love, dignity, and ensuring that no one has to walk through life’s final chapter alone. And here at Gulfside, that’s a promise we keep to every patient and every family we serve.
Cited Sources
Hospice Utilization Rebounds to Pre-Pandemic Levels, but Fraud Casts a Shadow - Hospice News
Diverse Utilization, Cost Trends Shaping Hospice Care Delivery - Hospice News
Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Report 2025: State Ranks 6th Nationally in Quality Care | Florida TaxWatch
Diverse Utilization, Cost Trends Shaping Hospice Care Delivery - Hospice News
Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Report 2025: State Ranks 6th Nationally in Quality Care | Florida TaxWatch
