Provident Care Home Care provides a broad range of specialized home care services. Our care team has the expertise and experience in assisting families dealing with memory loss issues, hospice care and other conditions that require more intensive one-on-one assistance.
What Is Hospice Care?
If you or a loved one have recently received a terminal diagnosis, you may be wondering about hospice care. What is hospice care? Can you get hospice care at home? What are the differences between hospice care and palliative care? Who pays for hospice care? How do you know if your loved one needs hospice care at home?
What Does it Mean When Someone Is in Hospice Care?
Hospice care, also known as comfort care, provides compassionate care for people in the last phase of an incurable disease. It’s a special kind of care that focuses on the quality of life for people so they can live as fully and comfortably as possible [1]. Usually, a person is placed in hospice care when they are expected to live for 6 months or less.
Yes. Hospice care is for people who are no longer pursuing treatments that may extend their life. People on hospice care are typically expected to live no longer than 6 months.
Does Hospice Care Mean End of Life?
Yes. Hospice care is for people who are no longer pursuing treatments that may extend their life. People on hospice care are typically expected to live no longer than 6 months.
What Are the 4 Levels of Hospice Care?
Medicare defines 4 levels of hospice care. Depending on a hospice care patient’s needs and wishes, they may experience all 4 levels or only 1. The 4 levels of hospice care are [2]:
- Level 1: Routine Home Care is a range of services available for times when you or your loved one are not in crisis.
- Level 2: Continuous Home Care is for when you need a higher level of nursing care during times of crisis. It means you need a nurse for at least 8 hours in a 24-hour period.
- Level 3: General Inpatient Care is for when short-term symptoms are too severe to manage at home.
- Level 4: Respite Care is a short stay in a hospital or other facility to give your primary caregiver a a needed break.
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Providing exceptional Hospice Care for seniors and families in Modesto, Stockton, Antioch, Walnut Creek and surrounding areas.
What Is Hospice Care at Home?
Hospice care at home is hospice care provided at the home of a patient or that of one of their loved ones rather than in a facility such as a hospital or nursing home.
Palliative Care Vs Hospice Care, What’s the Difference?
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with any serious illness, such as heart failure or cancer [3]. Patients in palliative care may still pursue treatment intended to cure their illness alongside medical care for their symptoms that is intended to enhance a person’s quality of life while battling the illness.
Hospice care is for people who have a serious illness and are approaching the end of their life. They don’t want to pursue further treatments to attempt to cure or slow the progress of the disease, or no such treatments exist. Hospice care provides comprehensive care for the patient and support for their family, but all attempts to cure the illness are stopped.
"Hospice care and palliative care both aim to provide better quality of life and relief from symptoms and side effects for people with a serious illness. Both have special care teams that address a person's physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual needs. But although hospice care often includes palliative care, they are not the same thing.”
-According to the American Cancer Society [1]:
How Long Does a Person Live After Being Put on Hospice?
A person is usually put on hospice care when they are expected to live for less than 6 months. Some people may live longer than 6 months, while others may only be on hospice for hours or days before succumbing to their illness.
Who Pays for Hospice Care at Home?
Medicare and Veterans' Administration (VA) benefits typically cover hospice care [4]. Some private insurance plans also offer at least some hospice care coverage. Additionally, some hospice organizations may offer hospice care for free or at a reduced rate depending on your ability to pay thanks to donations, grants, and other sources.
Does Medicare Pay for Hospice at Home?
Yes, Medicare does pay for hospice at home. Your regular doctor and hospice doctor must certify that you are terminally ill and have a life expectancy of 6 months or less [5]. Once you are on hospice care, Medicare will no longer cover any treatments intended to cure your terminal illness or related conditions.
Medicare does not pay for “extra” care that might be needed, such as 24-hour caregivers or 24-hour home health aides. Talk to us for more information.
How Do I Know if My Loved One Needs Hospice Care at Home?
It can be difficult to know if your loved one is ready for hospice care at home. Here are a few signs to look for:
- Treatment is no longer working or your loved one no longer wants to pursue aggressive intervention.
- They are less able to communicate.
- They are visiting the hospital or doctor more often.
- Their symptoms are getting harder to manage.
- They frequently seem restless or confused.
- They have recurrent infections.
- They spend much of their time sleeping.
- They’re losing weight for no apparent reason or don’t have much appetite.
- You are feeling overwhelmed and stressed as a caregiver.
-Hospice care is for people who are no longer pursuing treatments that may extend their life.
What to Look for When Hiring a Hospice Care Provider
When it comes to end-of-life care, you want to choose the best hospice care provider for your loved one’s needs. Here are some questions to ask as you look at different agencies to find the best one for your situation [6]:
- How long has the hospice been around?
- Are they Medicare-certified, accredited, and state-licensed (if required)?
- What do other people say about the hospice?
- Are there limits on treatments the patient is receiving?
- What is the expectation about the family’s role in caregiving?
- Does the hospice offer extra services beyond what’s required by Medicare?
- How rapid is crisis response?
- Is respite care available if the family caregiver gets exhausted?
- What are the options for inpatient care if it becomes necessary?
- How are patient or family concerns handled?
- Are the MDs or RNs certified in palliative care?
- How does the hospice track and measure quality?
- What bereavement services does the hospice offer?
If you’re looking for hospice care at home, contact us today to find out how we can help.
References
- American Cancer Society, What Is Hospice Care? https://www.cancer.org/treatment/end-of-life-care/hospice-care/what-is-hospice-care.html
- Angela Morrow, RN, Verywell Health, Levels of Hospice Care as Defined by Medicare, https://www.verywellhealth.com/levels-of-hospice-care-1132297
- National Institute on Aging, What Are Palliative Care and Hospice Care? https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care
- American Cancer Society, How and Where Is Hospice Care Provided and How Is it Paid For? https://www.cancer.org/treatment/end-of-life-care/hospice-care/who-provides-hospice-care.html
- Medicare, Hospice Care, https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/hospice-care
- American Hospice Foundation, Choose a Hospice: 16 Questions to Ask, https://americanhospice.org/learning-about-hospice/choosing-a-hospice-16-questions-to-ask/