If your loved one’s health is in decline, you may be curious about the role of hospice and how to initiate this type of care. Receiving hospice care at home can be beneficial on many levels, helping your loved one feel fully supported and allowing family caregivers to focus more on making memories. Learn how to determine whether hospice is a good choice for your loved one and how to arrange hospice care at home so your whole family can benefit from this valuable form of support.
Hospice at home is a type of hospice care that allows your loved one to remain in their home (or wherever they currently reside) and receive care. Hospice at home may include installing medical equipment, checking in regularly to manage symptoms, providing spiritual care, and more.
Hospice care is associated with the end-of-life stage, but in no way is it meant to speed up a loved one’s decline. On the contrary, many people thrive under hospice care and can even live longer with this type of support.
To arrange for at-home hospice care for your loved one, you first need to ensure they are eligible for this service. Speak with your loved one’s health team to see whether hospice is a viable option to consider at this point. A person is eligible for hospice care and insurance coverage when a medical professional diagnoses them with a life-limiting condition and a prognosis of six months or less.
If your loved one’s doctor confirms their eligibility, you can then decide with your loved one whether you would like to engage hospice care. Keep in mind that choosing to begin hospice care also marks a shift away from curative treatments. If your loved one wants to continue pursuing curative treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgeries, now may not be the best time to initiate hospice care. (Note: Electing to receive hospice care does not mean your loved one must stop all medications.)
If you’re not sure whether now is the best time to arrange at-home hospice care, see if any of these reasons resonates with you:
Feeling reluctant to engage hospice services is normal. However, hospice at home can be hugely beneficial in many cases. For example, if you’re used to spending considerable time dedicated to your loved one’s care, hospice services can allow you to go back to simply being a child or spouse rather than a primary caregiver. Your loved one will receive the support they need, and they can enjoy making more memories with you.
Initiating hospice is a big decision and not one families take lightly. Speak with your medical provider, consider your family’s unique situation and your loved one’s desires, and determine the best way forward.
If your loved one isn’t eligible for hospice, that doesn’t mean you need to limit their care to curative treatments. Your loved one’s comfort and overall well-being are critically important, no matter where they are in their health journey.
For those with serious medical conditions who do not qualify for hospice care, palliative care is an excellent option to consider. Palliative care offers many of the same services and benefits as hospice but is not end-of-life care and can be delivered alongside curative treatments.
When you decide to begin hospice care at home, the next step is to choose a provider. Browse the internet or consult your medical team to learn about hospice providers in your area. As you compare providers, consider factors such as care setting, the organization’s reputation, the range of services offered, and insurance coverage.
You may encounter different types of hospice organizations, including those not designed to care for clients in their homes but in hospitals or dedicated hospice centers. If you’re interested in at-home care specifically, be sure any organizations you’re considering meet these criteria. Ensure that a hospice provider will care for your loved one where they’re most comfortable, whether that’s a caregiver’s home, their own home, or a senior living community.
Choose a hospice provider with a strong history of delivering quality care. As of 2020, more than 70% of hospice providers are for-profit businesses. Nonprofit organizations such as WesleyLife are positioned to deliver hospice care with a primary focus on person-directed service rather than on dollars and cents. Regardless of whether an organization is for-profit or not, they should offer clear information about their program and testimonials to help give you a feel for the experience.
As you compare providers, learn about their service offerings and ensure you and your loved one can access all the services that matter most to you. Pain management is a hallmark of any hospice provider. However, some providers might emphasize certain services, such as spiritual care, more than others. Consider talking with a hospice representative to discuss your loved one’s needs and learn more about their approach to caring for those specific needs.
Some hospice programs go above and beyond meeting needs to help your loved one feel exceptionally honored and valued. For example, through Wesley Wishes, WesleyLife Hospice has helped countless clients and their families enjoy extraordinary experiences and make precious memories to last a lifetime, whether it’s visiting a childhood farm, attending a family wedding, or taking a helicopter flight.
When the client is eligible, Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans nearly always cover hospice care. However, not all hospice providers accept all insurance types, so ensure your loved one’s insurance covers any hospice provider you are considering. (If your loved one is a veteran, you should seek out a hospice program that accepts VA benefits and has received a prestigious We Honor Veterans designation.)
Ultimately, you want to work with a provider you can trust to effectively care for your family member and support their optimal quality of life at every stage.
Arranging hospice at home can offer your loved one comfort and practical support in the place they feel most at ease and allow you to focus on cherishing time together rather than attending to daily care tasks.
To learn more and find helpful resources, explore The Complete Guide to Hospice. You’re not alone on this journey; support is available every step of the way.