Home health care and hospice have patient care at the center of what they do. But the goals for each aspect of care are different. This post explains what home health care and hospice are and when patients need them.
What is Home Health Care?
Home health care is a care service ordered by a patient’s doctor. The patient may have just been discharged from the hospital, or they have an illness or injury that requires monitoring and treatment at home. Home health care agencies evaluate the patient and develop a plan of care based on what the patient needs.
As part of that plan of care, medical professionals such as nurses, therapists, social workers, and home health aides will visit the patient with the aim of helping them get better. The end goal in home health care is to help the patient recover and discharge them from home health care services, while remaining safely in their home.
What is Hospice?
Hospice care is ordered by a patient’s doctor, just like with home health care. While hospice care is offered in a facility, it can also be provided at home. Hospice provides care for patients who have a condition that will not get better, or they have chosen to stop life-sustaining medical treatment.
In many cases, hospice provides more support than home health. While some family members are hesitant about putting a loved one on hospice care, the most common comment we hear is “We wish we had chosen hospice sooner.” The support is often seen by family as irreplaceable. The key is having a meaningful and honest conversation with your healthcare provider so that you can make the best decision for your loved one. You can also read more on this site about hospice conversation starters with family.
Patients in hospice receive care from nurses, aides, counselors, and other professionals who help keep them comfortable and free from pain while connecting them to resources they need at this critical time. There are also volunteers and other unique services, such as Music Therapists. Hospice also provides support for their patients and families as they prepare for the dying process and grief. Hospice follows loved ones for a year or more to help guide through the grief process.
When Home Health Care and Hospice are Used
Home health care is ordered when a patient has a disease or condition that will improve with monitoring and medical care at home. In some cases, families may have home health care first and later transition to hospice. This can happen due to a change in condition or because the patient and their family have decided to seek hospice care.
Hospice care is ordered when the patient’s doctor has determined that they will live no longer than six months and further medical treatment will not improve their condition. Sometimes patients are discharged from hospice if they are stable and live beyond six months.
To add to the options, there is also Home Care, which is different than Home Health, but they are commonly confused. To learn more, you can read this post.
If you have more questions about home health care or questions about hospice care in the Chico, CA and surrounding areas, reach out to Butte Home Health. Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you.
