Florida needs quality hospice and brain health care

• Florida’s growing senior population needs increased access to quality care, including memory care and end-of-life services.
• The author advocates for expanding access to care services that prioritize aging with dignity and comfort.

As we just celebrated Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month—a time to shine a light not only on the science of memory loss, but on the everyday experiences of aging Floridians navigating life, care, and cognitive health. For many of us, these issues aren’t theoretical, they’re deeply personal.

From my own participation in Alzheimer’s research to watching a loved one benefit from hospice care, I’ve seen how the right support can change everything. Getting older doesn’t mean giving up—and that more Floridians deserve access to care that helps them live fully, even in life’s later chapters.

In the early 2000s, as he neared the end of his life, my father received hospice support. It wasn’t about giving up, it was about living fully and with dignity, even as his health declined. Hospice care helped us manage the difficult days and savor the meaningful ones. That experience left a lasting impression on me.

It’s part of why I’ve long supported expanding hospice access across Florida. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, I helped fund-raise for hospice efforts in Pinellas County. When a fire destroyed one of their newly built facilities, I was proud to help secure funding to rebuild. Back then and still today, the goal is simple: ensure more families can receive the care and compassion they deserve.

Today, we face an even steeper challenge. Florida’s aging population is booming. The state is already home to more than 4.6 million adults over the age of 65, and that number is growing fast. Along with that growth comes a greater need for skilled caregivers, memory care support, and end-of-life care services that reflect the diverse needs of our state.

Now, as more Floridians age and face cognitive decline or serious illness, the need for top-tier care has never been greater. Providers like Gentiva understand that. They bring not only medical expertise into the home but a holistic approach to aging—investing in caregiver support, bereavement services, and emergency preparedness. That kind of care isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity—and it should be available to more families across our state.

We must also acknowledge how essential brain health is to quality of life as we age. Memory loss, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer’s disease touch every corner of our communities—rich or poor, rural or urban. That’s why I’ve volunteered for research trials myself and encouraged others to do the same. Progress in treatment depends on both innovation and access. Expanding in-home care options, including those with expertise in Alzheimer’s and dementia, is a practical way to meet that need now—not years from now.

Florida seniors—and the families who love them—deserve access to providers who treat aging not as an afterthought, but as a priority. Gentiva is one of those providers. And expanding their presence means more homes touched by quality, dignity, and peace of mind.

As a second half octogenarian, I realize getting older is inevitable. But how we experience it is not. As I like to say: “Gettin’ older but ain’t quittin.” Let’s bring the best care home—because every Floridian deserves to age with comfort, confidence, and care that meets them where they are.

Ernie Bach is CEO-President of the Florida Silver Haired Legislature.

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