Understanding the differences between home health and hospice care helps family caregivers to make the best decisions for their loved ones. Though these services may seem similar at a glance, they cater to different patient needs and stages of illness. Each is unique in the level of care it offers and duration of services. Let’s take a more in depth look and the similarities and differences between these two programs.
Home Health Care: Focus on Recovery and Rehabilitation
Home health care is designed for patients who need medical support while recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery. It is often an important part of the hospital discharge plan of care. Home health is also prescribed when a patient is having a difficult time managing a medical condition. The primary goal of home health care is to help patients regain their independence and achieve the highest level of functioning possible. Here are some key aspects of home health care:
- Medical Services: Home health care includes a range of medical services. Examples include wound care, intravenous (IV) therapy, injections, and monitoring of chronic conditions. Skilled nurses and therapists provide these services. The number of visits and services provided are based on a physician’s plan of care.
- Rehabilitation: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are often part of home health care. Therapists work with patients to improve mobility, strength, and daily living skills. They might assist a stroke patient with speech or swallowing concerns or help a senior learn how to ambulate safely after a fall.
- Short-Term Care: Home health care is typically short-term, intermittent, and goal-oriented. Nurses and therapists visit patients a few times a week for a short period of time. Care is not continuous or around the clock. Once the patient reaches their recovery goals or achieves a stable condition, the services are usually discontinued.
- Medicare Coverage: Medicare, MediCal, VA benefits and most private insurance plans cover home health care services. This requires that services are deemed medically necessary and prescribed by a physician.
Hospice Care: Comfort and Quality of Life
Hospice care, on the other hand, is intended for patients with terminal illnesses who have a life expectancy of six months or less as long as the disease follows its expected course. Services can extend beyond six months as long as the physician continues to prescribe hospice care. The focus of hospice care is not on curing the illness but on providing comfort and improving the quality of life. Bereavement services are also a key component in hospice care. Features of hospice care include:
- Pain and Symptom Management: Hospice care prioritizes relieving pain and managing symptoms to ensure the patient is as comfortable as possible. This may include medications, therapies, and other supportive measures.
- Emotional and Spiritual Support: Hospice care encompasses emotional, psychological, and non-denominational spiritual support for both the patient and their family. Social workers, counselors, and chaplains are part of the hospice team.
- Family Involvement: Families play a central role in hospice care. Family caregivers receive training and support to help them care for their loved ones. Hospice care also provides respite care to give family caregivers time away from their loved ones for rest, work or other family commitments.
- Interdisciplinary Team: Hospice care involves a team approach, including doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and trained volunteers who work together to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient and family. The plan of care is developed in a holistic and personalized way and includes input from the hospice care team, family caregivers, the patient’s primary physician and the patient.
- Medicare Hospice Benefit: Medicare covers hospice care under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, which includes medical services, medications, equipment, and supplies related to the terminal illness. Most private insurance plans also offer hospice coverage. To qualify for coverage, hospice care must be prescribed by a licensed physician.
Making the Right Choice
Choosing between home health and hospice care depends on the patient’s condition, prognosis, and goals of care. The decision is best made in consult with the patient’s physician. The patients should receive a thorough evaluation where care options are discussed. At that point, an assessment from a hospice and home health provider is advisable. Here are some considerations that help guide the decision:
- Stage of Illness: Home health care is appropriate for patients who are recovering or managing chronic conditions. Hospice care is for those with a terminal diagnosis, a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease follows its expected course and a focus on comfort.
- Care Goals: If the primary goal is rehabilitation and recovery, home health care is the right choice. If the goal is comfort and quality of life in the face of a terminal illness, hospice care is advised.
- Duration of Care: Home health care is usually short-term. Hospice care continues for as long as the patient meets the hospice criteria, even beyond six months if needed. Hospice care moves to bereavement support for the family after their loved one passes.
Conclusion
Understanding these differences between home health and hospice care helps families navigate the complex healthcare system. This ensure their loved ones receive the most appropriate and compassionate care tailored to their needs. Whether it’s the rehabilitative support of home health care or the comprehensive, comfort-focused approach of hospice care, both services are beneficial. They play vital roles in supporting patients and their families during challenging times.
Salus Homecare in Riverside County provides accredited home health and hospice care services. If you have further questions about either services, we are here to help. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
