What Is Hospice Care at Home? A Complete Guide to In-Home Hospice Services
When someone you love is diagnosed with a terminal illness, you want to wrap that person in comfort, dignity and compassion. You might have heard about hospice before, but you might still be asking yourself: What is home hospice care, and how is home hospice care different from other options for care? In this article, we’ll discuss what is home hospice care, and a complete guide to in-home hospice services.
What is Hospice Care?
Let’s start by understanding meaning of hospice. Hospice Care is an approach to medical and emotional Support for People with a life-limiting illness and their loved ones, when curative treatment is no longer desired. Rather than attempting to cure the disease, hospice focuses on pain relief, symptom management and emotional and spiritual support.
Hospice home care is intended to make it possible for people to spend their final months, weeks or days as Comfortable And Cared for as possible, surrounded by the people they love.
Definition of Hospice Care
“In simplest terms, hospice is living fully and comfortably when cure is no longer possible.
Hospice patients at home are in the last six months of life if the illness takes its normal course. But hospice isn’t about surrender it’s about trying to make the most of your life until the very end.
Home-Based Hospice vs. Inpatient Hospice: What’s the Difference
Hospice care is always thought of by many people as being done in a hospital or hospice facility, but that is not always the case. What does home hospice care look like in a person’s own home?
Home-based hospice care refers to hospice services delivered in the place the patient calls home a private residence, apartment, assisted living facility or relative’s home.
What Makes Home Hospice Unique?
An at-home hospice care environment feels familiar and safe. Rather than going to a residential hospice, patients stay in their homes surrounded by personal belongings, pets, family and memories.
And it can be comforting, at a time of great uncertainty, to know what to expect. For the most part, that might be true but there are certain patients who are actually more comfortable receiving care at home, in their own bed or favorite chair resting in their living room instead of in a hospital.
The Benefits of Being Cared for at Home
There are multiple advantages of selecting the home as a place of hospice care:
Comfort: You may feel less stressed or anxious if you are at home.
Day-to-Day Routines: The everyday life of patients can be preserved.
Family Participation: Loved ones can be near and help with care.
Privacy and Dignity: Care happens in a room that feels like home.
Flexibility: Families can shape the space and organize care more than they can in other settings.
Who Does Hospice at Home?
Another issue people often ask about is what kind of professionals deliver care in a home hospice. The solution is a multifaceted support system.
The Interdisciplinary Team
Your home hospice care will generally include:
- Doctors: Supervise care and offer medical direction.
- Registered Nurses: Treat symptoms, counsel families and arrange for medications.
- Home Health Aides: Assistance with bathing, dressing, and other personal care.
- Social Workers: Provide counseling, help navigate insurance and resources.
- Spiritual Counselors or Chaplains: Offer emotional and spiritual sustenance.
- Volunteers: Help with visiting, light house work and errands.
Services Included in Hospice Care at Home
Every member of the hospice home care team plays a critical role. Nurses visit frequently to check the health and comfort of your loved one. AIDS offer hands on assistance with every day activities. Trained counselors and chaplains want to listen, support and assist you as you process your emotions.
Hospice is holistic, because it doesn’t just care for the patient’s symptoms — it affects the entire family.
So what exactly is life like with in-home hospice care on a daily basis? Medical care, emotional support, practical help: all are included, and everything is designed to suit the needs of your loved one.
Pain and Symptom Management
Dealing with discomfort Here’s a big one: Navigating discomfort is actually the most important one. Here are some of the things that you may see in hospice care at home:
- Treatment to relieve pain with medicines and other ways.
- Relieving symptoms such as nausea, shortness of breath and anxiety.
- Keeping track of health changes and adjusting care plans.
- Your care team is available any time of day for questions or urgent needs.
Personal Care Assistance
In-home hospice care encompasses assistance with activities of daily living:
- Bathing and hygiene.
- Eating and drinking.
- Transferring and positioning to prevent pressure ulcers.
- These duties ensure your loved one is clean, comfortable, and respectfully cared for.
Counseling and Bereavement Support
Hospice at home caregivers also know the importance of emotional and spiritual support. Services include:
- Counseling for patients and families dealing with grief.
- Support groups and resources.
- Help preparing for end-of-life decisions.
- Grief support for up to 13 months following a loved one’s passing.
When It’s Time for Hospice Care
It can be difficult for families to know when to begin hospice home care. It’s natural to be confused, but there are some signs to look for that will help you make an educated decision.
Signs Your Loved One May Benefit
- Is in-home hospice care an option for your loved one?
- Has suffered multiple hospitalizations in recent months.
- Has symptoms that are uncontrolled or getting worse (such as severe pain or shortness of breath).
- Is losing weight, strength, or has become unable to take care of themselves.
- No longer has the advantage of either curative measures.
If you’re wondering whether it might be time, you’re better off asking sooner rather than later, questions notwithstanding. Hospice care can offer months of help not days.
How to Arrange Hospice Care at Home
Home Hospice Making arrangements for home hospice care is less daunting than most families expect. Here’s how to get started:
Steps to Get Started
Talk to Your Doctor: Your doctor will need to verify that your loved one is eligible for hospice service.
Select a Hospice Company: Find a Medicare-certified agency with experienced workers and good reviews.
Establish a Care Plan: The hospice team will schedule a meeting to develop a plan and coordinate visits along with providing medications and equipment.
Many hospice providers have a 24/7 phone line to answer questions or provide help should an emergency arise; you shouldn’t feel like you’re out there on your own.
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering what is hospice care at home, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of families use home hospice as a way to show respect to their loved one’s dignity and ensure compassionate care.
With a knowledge of what home hospice care is, what options are available and the help of an experienced team, this is a phase of life where peace and comfort can be found. Hospice home care, at-home hospice care or in-home hospice care – no matter what you choose to call it, the objective is the same: enabling your loved one to live life to the fullest with as much comfort and love as possible.
If you’re considering in-home hospice care for a family member, we are here to assist you every step of the way. Call Precious Pearls Home Care now to find out how our caring staff can assist your loved one with customized, respectful care.
FAQs
Hospice home care generally means care provided in the patient’s home. It involves the management of pain, hygiene, and emotional care for both the patient and their family.
Yes. Private insurers generally follow Medicare’s lead, and both Medicare and Medicaid cover everything from medications to equipment costs and visits to the home.
Absolutely. You may discontinue receiving hospice care and begin receiving curative care again at any time.
Yes. Your regular doctor can stay involved and collaborate with the hospice team to manage care.
