This textbook on palliative social work is a companion volume to the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine and the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing. To that end, this chapter will accomplish the following:

Home-based or community-based palliative care is a type of specialty palliative care practice designed to meet the needs of persons living at home with chronic, advanced, and, in some cases, terminal illness. With their unique approach to considering the “person in environment,” sensitivity to safeguarding the needs of vulnerable and oppressed populations, and dedication to quality interdisciplinary care, palliative social workers are indispensable members of the home palliative care team. Social work participation in ongoing research and program development is vital to increasing access to home palliative care for patients and families.