While proper care for a chronic or terminal illness can be provided at an approved medical facility, most patients receive hospice home care services. In this situation, nurses and therapists follow a structured schedule of assisting the family with caring for their loved one. Additionally, these care providers are available by phone 24 hours per day every day. Often, the cost is covered by health insurance and Medicare.
As you can see, hospice care at home offers many advantages to the patient and their primary caregiver(s). We’ll explore more benefits of providing hospice care at home.
Comfort and Familiar Environment
Among the many home-based hospice advantages, one of the most important is the fact that the patient stays in comfortable, familiar surroundings. Rather than taking your loved one to a healthcare facility, the hospice team comes to you, which offers a more stress-free situation. For instance, on a daily basis, you and your relative can share any questions or concerns with the hospice team. Naturally, having this consistent, supportive communication can alleviate any anxiety for everyone involved.
Moreover, having home-based care not only allows for your relative to receive therapy, pain or symptom management, and other necessary services at home but also gives him or her more of a chance to interact and feel more connected with the rest of the family.
Personalized Care and Support
Another advantage is the opportunity for your relative to get individualized care based on his/her specific needs. After your loved one is referred to a hospice care provider, you’ll be meeting with a team of medical professionals along with the patient if possible. This team will discuss a personalized plan that includes pain management, any necessary therapies, personal care for your relative, and emotional support for him/her and for you and those most affected.
Enhanced Quality of Life
Additionally, you’re looking at improving your family member’s overall quality of life as he/she receives the proper care at home rather than the fast-paced environment. This option leaves enough room for nurses, aides, and other caregivers to focus on pain and symptom management.
Along with helping to keep your loved one as comfortable as possible, a home hospice team strives to maintain the dignity and autonomy of every patient. Your family member will receive the type of care that addresses all aspects of his/her condition with compassion and consideration.
Emotional and Spiritual Support
Hospice home care services also include emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and the family. Your loved one will at times want a listening ear, and the hospice team provides psychological and spiritual counseling during these trying times. Plus, they are there for you when you need to ask questions or just to have someone to talk to. After your relative has passed on, you and the other caregivers involved can also count on receiving grief counseling and compassionate support every step of the way.
Cost-Effectiveness
Although you can’t place a price tag on quality care for your loved one, cost does play a role in vital medical decisions. Specifically, you might wonder about the cost of hospice home care services and how much is covered by medical insurance, Medicare, and/or Medicaid.
First off, when comparing the cost of in-home care versus inpatient care, you’re looking at $150 per day for hospice services at home and $500 per day for an inpatient facility. However, these are just the average amounts that are covered by Medicare, insurance, and/or Medicaid. You might have a copay to take care of, but most private insurance companies and government programs offer varying amounts of hospice support benefits, pain management benefits, and palliative care benefits.
In addition to the programs mentioned above, you can also seek financial assistance from the VA if your loved one is a military veteran or dependent. Plus, some families opt for a Medicare supplement to provide additional coverage. Basically, you’ll need to consult with each provider’s representative about which financial assistance programs they’ll work with. Nonetheless, having your loved one receive the best care in a familiar setting is well worth any expense.
Conclusion
Conclusively, your loved one will benefit from skilled, compassionate care in the comfort of his/her home. You’ll have the advantage of being able to address any questions or concerns with nurses and aides right away and have 24/7 access to providers by phone. Moreover, your loved one will receive individualized care that covers all aspects, including symptom and pain management as well as spiritual and psychological counseling. Likewise, you’ll have access to counseling and bereavement support.
At Abundant Hospice Care, we provide hospice home care services to ensure that your loved ones receive the best care and support during this phase of their lives. Our team of skilled professionals is reliable and offers individualized care plans that meet all your relative’s physical, psychological, and spiritual needs. In addition to nursing care, we provide all necessary medications and medical equipment for your loved one’s condition.
You don’t have to navigate this situation alone. We’re here to help. If you have any questions about our services, please feel free to contact us to schedule a consultation.
