Hospice care at home provides for an individual’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being during their final weeks of life. While hospice care is offered in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and senior care facilities, some seniors choose to receive hospice care at home, often using a third-party agency. For individuals with an anticipated life expectancy of six months or fewer, hospice care is designed to manage symptoms and help improve their quality of life. An interdisciplinary team is involved in hospice care, including medical professionals, community members, and spiritual advisors.
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Hospice care services are determined on a case-by-case basis. A care team assesses a senior’s needs and provides certain services, including:[01]
Many seniors may opt to receive hospice care in their own home. However, hospice can also be provided in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, some senior living facilities, or in designated hospice centers. The services available will depend on a senior’s needs, regardless of where the care is provided.
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Hospice care at home is person-centered and gives seniors the opportunity to remain in a comfortable and familiar setting during their last days. In-home hospice care provides the following benefits that focus on individualized support for a patient and their family.[01]
This multi-disciplinary team works together to provide emotional, medical, and spiritual care through frequent visits and 24-hour phone support. A hospice care team may include a senior’s doctor, nurses, volunteers, care aides, therapists, and a spiritual or religious advisor.
Home hospice care providers can supply special equipment — like hospital-style beds, shower benches, and bedside toilets — when necessary. This equipment, generally available in a medical setting, can help improve your loved one’s comfort and quality of life at home.
Families may be responsible for many aspects of their loved one’s daily care during hospice. A hospice care team can provide family members with the training necessary to help a loved one with activities of daily living like dressing, bathing, and toileting. Respite care is another benefit of hospice care because it allows family caregivers time away from caregiving to recharge emotionally and physically. The hospice care team also provides grief counseling to family.
Hospice care at home offers several benefits for a senior and their family but, depending on the senior’s condition, it can also take a physical and emotional toll on family. Consulting with a hospice provider can help you decide if hospice care at home is the best hospice option for your family.
Eligibility for home hospice care is dependent on a doctor’s opinion that a patient’s life expectancy is six months or less. However, hospice can be renewed if a senior lives longer than the expected six months.
Your loved one’s doctor may suggest hospice care following a hospital stay or failed course of treatment. Some seniors would prefer to die at home, even if they have been living in a senior care community. In this case, home hospice care is a good option.
Eligibility for hospice care at home requires the following:[01]
Once your family has determined that end-of-life care at home is the best choice, you can work with your loved one’s doctor to find a hospice provider and establish a care team.
Hospice care is typically covered by Medicare, VA benefits, and private insurance. If you don’t have insurance, there are many charitable organizations that offer hospice care services free of charge to people who qualify.
Read more:How Much Does Hospice Care at Home Cost?
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Discussing end-of-life care with family and loved ones can be a challenging conversation. For information about hospice providers in your state, use the Hospice Foundation of America’s hospice directory. A Place for Mom doesn’t refer to hospice providers, but if you feel your family would benefit from home care services in addition to hospice care, our Senior Living Advisors can help connect you to home care agencies in your area.
Consult with the hospice provider to determine the ideal room in your home. If possible, speak with your loved one about what they would like in the room. Keep in mind, the hospice provider will supply medical equipment and a bed, if necessary.
While both palliative care and hospice care can be provided at home, palliative care offers comfort for people living with chronic conditions, such as cancer or Parkinson’s disease. Unlike hospice care, it can occur while undergoing curative treatments for illness.
Most hospice patients spend between 2 and 4 weeks on hospice care, but the actual amount of time varies. Rarely do those in hospice care spend more than two months receiving care.
Yes, the philosophy of hospice is to provide a safe and supportive environment so that a patient can have a high quality of life. However, it’s unlikely that a patient on hospice will want to or be able to comfortably leave their home.
Yes. While it is unusual, some patients may outlive the estimated six month life expectancy required to be referred to hospice. Depending on the individual patient, they may be discharged or hospice may be extended.
The patient and their family decide if hospice is the care option that best fits their needs after a doctor makes a diagnosis that the patient’s life expectancy is six months or less.
Yes. Hospice care can be combined with in-home care. A family may choose the assistance of respite care to be able to take a break from caregiving. Home care support with laundry, housekeeping, and meal preparation can also be combined with hospice care.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2023, March). Medicare hospice benefits.
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