Integrative Therapies For End Of Life
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Does Hospice Offer Integrative or Alternative Therapies?
July 7th, 2025Many hospice providers offer complementary and alternative therapies for patients. However, there is very little current data that defines the scope or frequency of therapies administered for chronically ill or terminal patients. The 2007 National Home and Hospice Care Survey shows that more than 40% of hospice care providers in the U.S. offered some sort of complementary and alternative medicine. About one-quarter of patients received some form of therapy. Unfortunately, there are no statistics available to note whether this number has grown or lessened since then.
What therapies are available to patients?
Complementary and alternative therapies are provided by employees, contractors, or volunteers, who are trained or licensed to provide therapy (depending on state laws). Music therapy, Massage therapy and Biofield therapies, like Reiki or Healing Touch, are most commonly offered by hospice.
Additional therapies that a hospice may provide for patients include:
- Acupressure or acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Breathing Techniques
- Craniosacral therapy
- Guided imagery
- Hypnotherapy
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Pet Therapy
- Reflexology
Benefits of complementary and alternative therapies for hospice and palliative patients
A 2018 study shows a short-term benefit in symptom improvement for palliative patients whether therapies were performed separately or combined. While additional studies are needed to further examine the value of complementary and alternative medicine in a hospice or palliative setting, research from the National Library of Medicine in 2021 reveals positive outcomes for patients receiving integrated therapies at end of life.
Physical symptoms that most commonly show improvement include:
- Tiredness/Fatigue
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Poor Appetite
- Restlessness/Agitation
Positive psychosocial and spiritual outcomes include:
- Lessened anxiety or depression
- Feelings of inner peace and well-being
- Improved Quality of Life
- A sense of personal satisfaction
The future of complementary medicine in hospice and palliative care
As a result of increasing popularity and public demand, providers must continue to educate themselves on the benefits of therapies for patients. Medicare hospice benefits do not currently recognize integrative therapists as a required interdisciplinary team member, as they do physicians, nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteer coordinators. Both profit and non-profit hospice companies must allot funds to pay for integrative therapies if they wish to offer these services to patients and families.
Sources
“Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Hospice: The National Home and Hospice Care Survey: United States, 2007”. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr033.pdf
“Implementation and outcomes of complementary therapies in hospice care: an integrative review”. Palliative Care and Social Practice. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8552400/
“Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Hospice and Palliative Care: A Systematic Review”. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. https://www.jpsmjournal.com/article/S0885-3924(18)30390-7/fulltext