Introduction
Technology is no longer optional in hospice care — it’s increasingly embedded into how comfort, oversight and family support are delivered. But tech must be carefully integrated to preserve the deeply human nature of end-of-life care.
Key Technological Trends
- Telehealth: Virtual visits for symptom review, caregiver support or overnight check-ins.
- Remote monitoring: Sensors, wearables or apps that alert staff to changes in condition.
- AI & analytics: Prediction of symptom escalation, scheduling optimisation, documentation automation.
- Home-based care innovations: Digital tools that empower families, reduce travel and expand comfort at home.
What This Means for Patients & Families
- Improved access: Technology can mean more frequent check-ins and earlier intervention.
- Comfort & convenience: Less travel, more care in the home environment — especially for rural or underserved areas.
- Questions for providers: Do you use telehealth? How is patient privacy handled? How does tech enhance—not replace—hands-on care?
Key Take-Aways
- Smart technology can enhance hospice care, but it must be used to augment human connection, not substitute it.
- Providers who integrate tech well deliver more proactive and responsive comfort.
- Families should consider how technology fits into the care plan and ask providers about its practical implementation.
