Hospice care is given when a patient has 6 months or less to live. Hospice home care is designed to help improve the quality of life in patients who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses or diseases in the comfort of their own homes.
By focusing on the comfort of the patient and their emotional needs, those who are facing their end of life are provided care 7 days a week by a hospice care team. This team constitutes doctors, a hospice team, and continued health care to ensure the comfort and safety of the patient.
What does Hospice do in-home?
In-home hospice care is designed to provide end of life care to patients who require assistance 24 hours a day. This way, those who are suffering from a terminal illness are able to see family and friends in the comfort of their own home. A hospice team will be assigned to your loved one throughout the final days of their life.
During this trying time, social workers will provide both emotional and spiritual care. Home hospice services also provides care that helps relieve the patient of any pain and discomfort.
Doctors, nurses, and the caregiver are all available to provide the patient with as much support as possible. Depending on the patient and their illness, home hospice care may either turn out to be short- or long-term care.
What does it mean when someone is in hospice care?
Hospice care is specifically designed to help patients who are dying. Also known as comfort care, all help is provided to make the patient feel as comfortable as possible. Family members and a social worker may assist in providing care to any loved one who is projected to live 6 months or less.
A hospice team will assist in developing a continued care plan for your loved one. This includes administering medications of various kinds that are designed to keep the patient as comfortable as possible. The hospice team may also have a clergy and various counselors to assist your loved one.
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization plays a role in ensuring that your loved one has access to all of the services they need in their final days.
Conversely, respite care may be given to caregivers to assist in providing relief. Whether at nursing homes or in a patient’s home. Hospice care workers may need help to ensure that they remain healthy, too. This way they are able to provide help to your loved one.
If the family is directly involved in caring for a dying loved one, respite care can help the family when necessary, as well.
What is the difference between home health care and hospice care?
As mentioned, hospice is comfort care. It’s designed for patients who have 6 months or less to live. Medical care is provided throughout their term. But it’s only to ensure that they are as comfortable and as happy as possible. Patients who receive hospice care may opt for home health care, as well.
Home health care is designed to provide services to patients who need intermittent nursing care. This also includes physical therapy, speech-language services, and occupational services. These must be prescribed by a doctor and the patient’s progress is to be documented.
If the patient is able to receive Medicare benefits but you are unsure as to the type of care your loved one requires, contact us at Mary T Inc. for more information. We’ll be happy to assist you in any way. We want to ensure your loved ones get the care they need for a better quality of life.
What is hospice care at home?
Sadly, many patients who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses die in medical facilities while in hospice. Understandably, some patients would rather spend the final days of their life at home and surrounded by family.
If a patient who has limited time to live chooses to receive hospice care at home instead of hospice in a hospital or nursing home, a caregiver will be assigned to the patient and provide hospice home health care around the clock.
A team that consists of a social worker and caregiver ensures that the patient is able to receive a wide range of services to keep them comfortable.
We encourage you to contact us today if you have any questions in finding the right care for your loved one. From palliative care to hospice care, we can help your family get the direction needed to ensure that you choose the best help for your loved one. We have many resources available to assist you during this difficult time. We want what’s best for you and your family, so don’t hesitate to reach to out us for help.