New Model of Home Hospice Care—Social Innovation in Rural Areas: Facing Depopulation and a Services Crisis in Poland

Sylwia Michalska, Dominika Zwęglińska-Gałecka · 2026 · Health & Social Care in the Community

Summary. Researchers studied a social innovation in rural Eastern Poland that improves end-of-life care in depopulating areas. The model combines home hospice teams, local support networks, and a new Dependent Care Coordinator role. The initiative expanded service access, strengthened coordination between health and social care, and reduced staff burden. However, workforce shortages, fragmented institutions, and resistance to palliative care limit its ability to scale and sustain long-term.

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@article{michalska-2026-new-model-home-hospice-care,
  title   = {New Model of Home Hospice Care—Social Innovation in Rural Areas: Facing Depopulation and a Services Crisis in Poland},
  author  = {Sylwia Michalska and Dominika Zwęglińska-Gałecka},
  journal = {Health & Social Care in the Community},
  year    = {2026},
  doi     = {10.1155/hsc/7275685},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1155/hsc/7275685}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - New Model of Home Hospice Care—Social Innovation in Rural Areas: Facing Depopulation and a Services Crisis in Poland
AU  - Sylwia Michalska
AU  - Dominika Zwęglińska-Gałecka
JO  - Health & Social Care in the Community
PY  - 2026
DO  - 10.1155/hsc/7275685
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1155/hsc/7275685
ER  - 

Details

DOI

10.1155/hsc/7275685

Countries

Poland

Regions

Europe

Categories

rural-healthcare, innovation-networks

Added

2026-04-28