ABSTRACT
Due to the aging “baby boomer” population in the United States, the “silver tsunami” is now crashing down upon us. Not only are there more older people in the workforce, there are also more people entering the “end of life” stage. The often-avoided, if not forbidden, subject of death is coming out of the closet in our society as the impact of the large, aging population affects everyone’s daily life. The workforce in this country is struggling to meet the demands of the aging population. Healthcare systems are being inundated with more and more patients who need extended end-of-life care at a time when many hospitals, hospices, and care facilities are attempting to streamline and cut back on staffing to make ends meet. There is greater need than ever before for cost-effective, patient-centered services that directly serve the needs of those who are dying and their loved ones.
