New Port St. Lucie Hospice Center to Serve Florida's Aging Population

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – April 22, 2026 – Responding to the pressing healthcare needs of one of Florida's fastest-growing and aging regions, VITAS Healthcare has broken ground on a new state-of-the-art inpatient hospice center in Port St. Lucie's Tradition community. The facility, slated to open in 2027, will be the first freestanding inpatient hospice center in the city, marking a significant expansion of end-of-life care services on the Treasure Coast.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held on April 21 at Tradition Town Hall, signals the start of construction on a 14,000-square-foot, 12-bed facility designed to serve more than 500 patients annually. This project addresses a critical gap for individuals whose complex symptoms can no longer be managed effectively at home, providing a dedicated space for comfort-focused medical care and family support.

Addressing a Demographic Imperative

The new center arrives at a crucial time for St. Lucie County and the state of Florida. The region is experiencing a profound demographic shift, with a rapidly growing senior population creating unprecedented demand for specialized healthcare services. In 2024, residents aged 65 and older comprised approximately 24.7% of St. Lucie County's population, a figure notably higher than Florida's statewide average of 22% and the national average of 18%.

Projections indicate this trend will only accelerate, with seniors expected to represent nearly 30% of Florida's total population by 2045. This demographic wave is coupled with Port St. Lucie's explosive growth; the city's population has surged by over 37% since 2020. Florida already ranks second in the nation for hospice utilization, underscoring a cultural acceptance and need for compassionate end-of-life care that the state's infrastructure is racing to meet.

The VITAS facility is a direct response to these statistics, representing a strategic investment in healthcare infrastructure designed to serve the community for decades to come. By providing a dedicated inpatient option, it offers a vital resource for families navigating the most challenging phase of a serious illness.

A New Model of Care for the Treasure Coast

While VITAS has served the Treasure Coast region since 2019, this new center represents its first inpatient unit in the area and a new model of care for the city. Unlike hospice services provided in hospitals or nursing homes, a freestanding facility is purpose-built to create a serene, homelike environment that prioritizes patient dignity and family connection. The design will feature 12 private patient rooms, along with quiet spaces for families to gather and find respite.

Inpatient hospice care is a specific level of care intended for short-term stays to manage acute pain and other severe symptoms that require intensive, 24-hour clinical oversight. Under Florida regulations, the total number of inpatient days for a hospice provider is capped, ensuring that the primary focus remains on enabling patients to return to their preferred setting, typically home, once their symptoms are stabilized.

"Florida's growth means more families are facing serious illness and the need for hospice care," said Patty Husted, executive vice president at VITAS Healthcare, in a statement. "Our responsibility is to meet that need with compassion, clinical excellence and timely access to the right level of care. This inpatient center allows us to do exactly that, bringing comfort and dignity to patients when they need it most, close to home."

While other providers like Treasure Coast Hospice operate in the region, the VITAS facility's status as the first freestanding unit in Port St. Lucie proper fills a specific niche, adding much-needed capacity in a rapidly expanding community.

Economic Investment and Community Support

The project is more than a healthcare initiative; it is a significant economic investment in Port St. Lucie. The construction and subsequent operation of the facility will generate new jobs, attracting a range of skilled healthcare professionals to the area. VITAS typically employs a diverse team for its centers, including Registered Nurses (RNs), Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), chaplains, social workers, bereavement specialists, and administrative staff.

The strong backing from local leadership was evident at the groundbreaking ceremony, which drew a crowd of notable community figures. Attendees included State Representative Dana Trabulsy, representatives from the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce, and leaders from local educational institutions like Chamberlain University and South University. This broad support underscores a collective recognition of the facility's importance to the community's well-being and economic vitality.

Navigating Florida's Healthcare Landscape

Establishing a new hospice facility in Florida is a complex undertaking, governed by the state's Certificate of Need (CON) program. This regulatory framework requires healthcare providers to demonstrate a clear community need before they can build new facilities or expand services. VITAS's successful navigation of this process for the Port St. Lucie center indicates that the project has passed rigorous state-level scrutiny and is deemed essential for the region.

This development also aligns with recent legislative efforts to improve end-of-life care in the state. A 2025 law, for example, streamlined processes by allowing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to complete and sign death certificates for hospice patients, reducing administrative burdens on physicians and grieving families. Such changes reflect an evolving environment that supports the kind of specialized, responsive care the new VITAS center aims to provide.

As a pioneer in the field with nearly 50 years of history rooted in South Florida, VITAS Healthcare operates as the nation's leading provider of end-of-life care. The Port St. Lucie location will join a network of more than 30 VITAS inpatient hospice facilities across the country, reinforcing the company's long-standing commitment to expanding access to compassionate care where and when it is needed most.