Yes, hospice care can be provided at home.
Hospice care can be provided in many different settings. Most commonly, hospice services are provided at home, though some patients may receive hospice services in assisted living facilities, nursing homes or even inpatient hospice centers.
In-home hospice care is often more affordable than care in a facility.
A benefit of in-home hospice care is that it can be more affordable than care in a facility. In fact, if your parent qualifies for hospice, their Medicare or health insurance is likely to cover it. However, not all services are covered by Medicare’s hospice benefit. For example:
- Respite care (short-term breaks for the primary caregiver) is limited to five days per benefit period
- Medications used to treat conditions other than the terminal illness
- Medical equipment and supplies used for conditions other than the terminal illness
You’ll usually need to have a caregiver at home with you throughout your in-home hospice experience.
Home hospice usually involves a family member serving as your primary caregiver (with help from a nurse). If you don’t have someone in your life who can serve as caregiver at home, or if you’d prefer to have someone who is not a close family member with you throughout the process, many hospice organizations offer in-home care and can help connect you with a qualified caregivers.
However, some hospices will not provide these services unless the patient’s condition has reached an extremely advanced stage. It is best to check with your local area’s options to find out what is available for your specific situation before moving forward.
Hospice allows you to make the choices that are right for you and your family during this time.
Hospice care can be administered at home, but it’s important to keep in mind that hospice is about more than just where you receive your care; it’s also about making personalized choices.
By allowing you to choose how you want to be cared for, where you want to be cared for and who will care for you, hospice can provide the right level of support. The goal with palliative care is not only to provide physical relief when possible and ensure pain control, but also to support patients and families emotionally. These specialized services are delivered by a team of healthcare professionals who are available 24/7 when life-limiting illness affects a person’s quality of life.
If you choose in-home care, find a provider that fits your needs and values.
If you choose in-home care, the next step is to find a provider that fits your needs and values, and allows you to die on your own terms. In choosing an in-home hospice provider, seeking out someone who respects your values and beliefs will help ensure that when it comes time for you or a loved one to die, the experience will be as positive as possible.
If you’re looking to learn more about in-home hospice care or palliative care, then feel free to contact Health Star Home Health, the best in-home hospice care team in Hermantown MN, today.