As a home caregiver, you may have heard the term “hospice care” thrown around, but you may be confused about what it is, and how it may apply to you and your loved one. It's important to investigate all of the different kinds of available options, so you can be confident that you're making the right choices for home health care.

What is Hospice Care?

Hospice care is a type of long-term support that focuses on the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of a person with a life-limiting illness. The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their family, as the patient naturally reaches the end of life. Hospice care can be provided as home health care, in a nursing home, or a hospice center.

Hospice care includes a team of healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, social workers, and chaplains, who work together to manage pain and symptoms, provide emotional support, and ensure the patient’s wishes are respected. It also includes medication, medical equipment, and supplies related to the patient’s illness.

What is Not Included?

Hospice care does not include treatment to cure an illness. Instead, it focuses on providing comfort and support. This means that the patient will no longer receive curative treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Additionally, hospice care does not provide 24/7 care, although nurses and other healthcare professionals are available to assist as needed.

When is it Time for Hospice?

It may be time to consider hospice care when a person with a life-limiting illness has a prognosis of six months or less to live. This does not mean that a person will definitely pass away in six months, but rather that their illness has progressed to a point where they are likely to pass away within six months without treatment to cure the illness.

Who Pays for Hospice Care?

Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. The patient’s out-of-pocket expenses are typically minimal.

What Are Other Things to Keep in Mind?

It’s important to remember that hospice care is not “giving up” on your loved one. Instead, it’s an opportunity to provide comfort and support during a difficult time. A patient may choose to leave hospice at any time, for their own personal reasons, or to participate in new treatment options, or clinical trials. It is also possible to be discharged from hospice, if the patient's condition significantly improves. It’s important to communicate openly with the hospice care team and to ask questions if you’re unsure about anything, and discuss all options with your loved ones before committing. 

If you’re considering hospice care for your loved one in the St. Louis, MO area, consider Deer Valley Home Health Services. They provide compassionate hospice and other forms of home health care and have been serving the community for over 30 years. Contact them at (314) 355-3679 or visit their website for more information.