What Is Palliative Home Care? Understanding What to Expect

Palliative care works to improve the quality of life of your loved one, with or without curative care occurring simultaneously. As the word palliative suggests (“palliate” literally means “to ease symptoms”), this care type reduces the intensity of your loved one’s medical condition and lessens their physical and emotional discomfort.

Remember, palliative care does not necessarily indicate that your loved one is near the end of their life. However, when your loved one reaches the end of life, they may choose to continue palliative care as comfort care or choose to enter hospice care.^[01]

While your loved one can receive this type of care in a medical setting, they may also receive it in the convenience of their own home.

People often feel more comfortable receiving palliative care in the familiar surroundings of their home. Your loved one can access this type of care through a palliative care service provider or palliative care team, which may be based within a medical setting and treat your loved one at home as an outpatient.

A medical professional or palliative care specialist may make regular visits to your loved one’s home depending on their medical condition and individual needs. Speak with your loved one’s medical care team to learn if receiving palliative care at home is appropriate for their unique medical situation.

As a caregiver, you may feel confident that you can provide a version of palliative care at home on your own. However, palliative care is for the patient and their caregiver. You deserve support during this challenging phase of life, so let the experts help both of you on this journey.

In-home palliative care may feature the following types of interventions to support and improve the patient’s quality of life:

• Medications
• Specialized therapies
• Medical evaluations
• Symptom monitoring or tracking
• Skilled nursing, such as wound care
• Patient and family education
• Spiritual guidance
• A 24/7 nurse advice line

These services may be delivered through in-person visits or telehealth options.

Is home care the right fit?

As palliative care is centered on symptom relief in a holistic manner, it can help patients manage the following mental, emotional, and physical symptoms related to serious illnesses:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Pain
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Immobility
• Insomnia
• Chronic fatigue

Recent research indicates people who receive palliative care experience less pain and nausea, can breathe easier, feel better emotionally, and can communicate more clearly.^[02]

In-home palliative care services typically resemble what a patient may receive in a clinical or hospital setting. However, palliative care at home has the benefit of receiving care in the comforts of a familiar environment.

Receiving care at home may benefit the following people:

• Those who no longer drive or don’t have reliable transportation
• Those with mobility challenges
• Those with compromised immune systems who need to limit their exposure to pathogens

You can make arrangements for palliative care as soon as your loved one receives a diagnosis that may warrant it, such as a cancer or heart failure diagnosis. Palliative care can be provided to people of all ages, and you don’t have to wait for your loved one’s symptoms to progress to a point of crisis to seek palliative care.

In fact, research studies show that starting palliative care early in the course of an illness has many benefits:

• Makes it easier for the patient’s wishes to be followed
• Reduces stress
• Boosts confidence in medical decision-making
• Supports the emotional and spiritual wellness of patients and their families.^[02]

The first step toward accessing palliative care is to talk with your loved one’s primary care doctor or the specialist supervising the treatment of their serious illness. This medical provider may be able to connect your loved one with a palliative care specialist or palliative care team.

Teams typically consist of the following professionals:

• A primary doctor or disease specialist
• Nurses
• Pharmacists
• Chaplains
• Social workers
• Psychologists
• Physical therapists
• Art therapists
• Music therapists
• Dietitians

You can look up palliative care professionals nationwide through the Center to Advance Palliative Care and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. A referral may be required for your loved one to access care through some providers. If this situation occurs, please contact their medical care team to further coordinate care.

Home care questions? Get expert help

Determining how to pay for palliative care can be essential to receiving the appropriate care for your loved one.

Does Medicare or Medicaid pay for palliative care?

Sometimes — Medicare and Medicaid cover certain types of palliative care under certain circumstances. Medicare may provide palliative care coverage through Part A or Part B.

Medicare Part A may provide hospice care, but not necessarily palliative care.^[03] Your loved one has to meet specific requirements to qualify under Part A.

Medicare Part B, however, may pay for medical care that specifically addresses symptoms. Generally, Part A works as hospital insurance focused on care, such as hospital care, skilled nursing facilities, and home health care, while Part B works like medical insurance covering doctor services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and more. Medicare may cover palliative care at home in some cases. It’s best to speak with your loved one’s medical team or a Medicare representative to learn more about possible coverage.

Medicaid may also pay for palliative care in some instances.^[04] However, Medicaid varies from state to state on the coverage of palliative care. Contact your loved one’s local Medicaid office for specific guidance on qualifications and coverage.

Alternative palliative care payment options

Check with your loved one’s private insurance provider to determine if palliative care may be partially or even fully covered through their policy.

Is your loved one a veteran? If so, they may be eligible to access palliative care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).^[05] To learn if your loved one qualifies, contact the VA directly for an accurate determination of benefits based on their discharge status and other considerations.

If your loved one doesn’t have access to insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or VA benefits, contact their medical team for additional guidance. They may be able to connect you and your loved one with a social worker or financial counselor from their hospital or medical center who can provide further assistance.

With palliative care, home health care, and hospice care offering similar or overlapping services, it can be confusing to distinguish between them. Each care type has unique features that separate it from the others, as shown in the chart below.

If you’re comparing palliative care to home health care, the biggest difference is that palliative care is highly specialized and holistic-based for a person facing a serious illness, whereas home health care focuses solely on medical support.

With palliative care and hospice care, the main distinction is their compatibility with curative treatments. Patients on palliative care may continue with curative treatments if they wish, while those on hospice care cannot receive curative treatments.

Read more:What is Hospice Care at Home? Services, Payment, and What to Expect

It’s normal for care needs to change over time. Even if your loved one seeks palliative care at home now, they can still choose to seek other care options in the future. If you need an extra helping hand at home while your loved one is on palliative care, home care may be a good option for nonmedical needs.

If receiving palliative care at home becomes unsustainable or unsuitable for your loved one, the Senior Living Advisors at A Place for Mom can guide you as your family explores senior living options. These experts can explain differences in cost and amenities, and they can even set up community tours — all at no cost to your family.