Home sweet home. It’s familiar, comfortable, and full of so many happy memories. That comfortable familiarity is often the reason so many people choose hospice care.

According to this research, 80% of Americans would prefer to die at home instead of a hospital.

A cold, sterile, and unfamiliar environment can leave your loved one unhappy in their final moments. If your loved one is seeking help at this point in their life, consider hospice care at home.

Here’s what you need to know about at-home hospice care. With this article, you can make an informed decision for you and your loved one and ensure a gentle transition.

Choosing Hospice Care

Over 1.4 million Americans choose hospice care by the end of their lives. However, it’s important to note this is a choice.

Hospice care can support your loved one’s personal decision to spend the end of their life at home, surrounded by familiar people in a familiar environment.

Before making any decisions about your loved one’s future, speak to them about their options. Determine what their wishes and priorities are at this point in their lives.

What is Hospice Care at Home?

Hospice care at home provides care that prioritizes your loved one’s comfort over finding a cure. This care option is ideal for patients who have a life expectancy of six months or less.

Hospice care is available wherever you or your loved one lives.

This can include the patient’s home, a family member’s home, an assisted living community, or a nursing home.

If your loved one’s condition worsens, their hospice team might recommend a short-term transfer to an inpatient hospice center.

The Philosophy

Home hospice focuses on making your loved one feel comfortable and supported. Hospice care allows your loved one to make a decision about their care moving forward.

Your loved one matters.

With home hospice care, they won’t have to feel like another person in another hospice bed. Instead, they can receive care in their own home, where they’re the authority.

Hospice also offers a team-oriented approach to medical care. Your loved one will receive pain management to make their last days as comfortable as possible. Home hospice care also offers spiritual and emotional support for your entire family.

The care is tailored to your family’s needs.

In addition to an on-site team, your loved one will also have access to the medical equipment, medications, and supplies needed to maximize their comfort.

By receiving hospice care at home, your loved ones will have the best possible quality of life during their last days.

The Benefits of Hospice at Home

Hospice care at home offers a number of benefits to you and your loved one.

Familiar Surroundings

As mentioned before, hospice care at home keeps your loved one in a familiar environment. They can relax in their favorite chair, sleep in their own bed, and avoid the discomforts of hospital surroundings.

They’ll also have access to their own belongings.

As a result, your loved one can relax without anything unfamiliar disrupting their comfort.

Quality Family Time

Choosing hospice care at home also gives you and your loved one more time to bond together.

You won’t have to worry about hospital visiting hours.

Instead, you can focus on creating new memories with your loved ones. Every word you exchange is important. With at-home hospice care, you have more opportunities to bond, make memories, and talk with one another.

Expert Care From Trained Professionals

Receiving at-home hospice care won’t limit your loved one’s care.

Instead, hospice care will consider your loved one’s social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. Remember, the goal is to provide your loved one the best quality of life during this time. Your hospice team will offer as much support as possible to achieve this goal.

Your loved one’s team will include a number of professionals, including:

Nurses
Physicians
Social workers
Spiritual support counselors
Health care aides
Volunteers for companionship

Each person provides your loved one with the care they need at this point in their life.

Regular Visits

Depending on your loved one’s needs, hospice care professionals will regularly visit your loved one. This will help the patient avoid stressful, sometimes painful hospital visits.

Instead, your loved one can relax at home and still receive the care they need.

Avoid 911 Calls

Instead of calling 911 during an emergency, you can call the hospice care team day or night. That means you have the peace of mind that there’s always someone there to help.

If there’s an urgent problem, a nurse can visit your loved ones to make sure they receive the care they need.

Explanations

Medical jargon can get confusing. A member of your loved one’s hospice team can answer any questions you or your loved one has. They’ll guide you through the care plan and what to expect in the coming weeks.

Your care team can also help children understand the situation.

In addition to helping with explanations, the hospice team can also help plan funeral arrangements and a memorial service.

Maintain Dignity

Hospice care at home will ensure your loved one lives their last months with dignity. They won’t have to worry about getting poked and prodded with needles. Your loved one can also avoid invasive or sometimes aggressive treatments.

Instead, they can live comfortably and as pain-free as possible during this time.

Use Coverage

Medical bills get overwhelming quickly. With at-home hospice care, out-of-pocket costs are greatly reduced. Most commercial insurance plans (Medicare, Medicaid, the VA) include hospice benefits.

However, make sure to check with your insurance provider first.

Personalized Support

Hospice care at home will allow your loved one to maintain control. They determine the care they need.

They’ll also have access to the medication and supplies they need for their at-home care. To ease the stress on family members, patients can also request a certified home health aide to help with personal care.

Home Sweet Home: Your Guide to Hospice Care at Home

Your loved one might decide they want to live their last days in a familiar environment. With hospice care at home, your loved one can feel comfortable and in control.

Can My Loved One Receive Hospice Care at Home?