Does Hospice offer more than Home Health Services?

Question

As far as the care someone gets..which is best? Home Health Care or Hospice Care..This Lady I sit with isn't doing to well (Just a matter of time). The Family was told to just keep her comfortable,,But she has Home Health Care..but their services are limited. I don't much about Hospice..But was told they could do more than Home Health.

Answer 1

YES, Hospice can provide more services than Hospice for an individual facing end of life.

Home Health is very good, offering skilled nursing, therapy, and home health aide services. Most have a nurse on-call 24/7.

However, Hospice is much more comprehensive, and deals with the patient from a holistic approach of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual care. In addition to the services home health provides, a hospice program also provides a team of counselors, clergy, volunteers, medical director, and more. The team is trained specifically in end-of life care and symptom management.

Additionally, a hospice program provides all the care and services required for care of the terminal illness. This includes medications, supplies, medical equipment and more.

Many hospice also offer complimentary services, such as massage therapy, aromatherapy, music therapy, or pet programs.

While Home Health does a good job caring for the patient, hospice focuses not only on the patient, but "family" as well - whatever/whoever that patient calls family. This support is incredible, and continues for a year after the death of the patient.

Hospice doesn't "live" with the patient 24/7, but does assure access to services around the clock. If a patient needs inpatient care to manage acute symptoms that can't be managed at home, the hospice coordinates and pays for that service. If the family needs a "break", arrangements also can be made for the patient to stay in a "respite" facility or bed.

Hospice IS The best option for somemone who is terminally ill, and who wants to focus on comfort and quality of life.

Answer 2

Each Hospice is different as far as what they offer, but my personal experience with Hospice is they can offer much more than Home Health. Hospice focuses on the positive aspect of an end of life experience. Their focus is to keep the person as comfortable as possible and follow the wishes of the person, even if family disagrees.

We had Home Health for awhile and they did great, but Hospice has done a lot more for us. In addition to providing personal care and nursing skills, they have been a source of support for me and my daughters (9 and 3), while we deal with my dad's terminal cancer. I keep telling our Hospice Aide that I couldn't do what I am doing without her, she means that much to us!

Answer 3

Hospice comes in when the doctor diagnosis 6 months to live and yes, they do a great deal more than home health. For one, they make sure the patient is comfortable and out of pain until they pass. I have watched both in action and can tell you that home health is good, but limited. During that last 6 months, hospice is wonderful and has a lot fewer limitations.

Hospice.net can explain it better than I:
http://www.hospicenet.org/

Added: Hospice care can be slightly different in different locations, it depends on the laws. Where I was, morphine was administered. Hospice has been a leader in finding effective ways to control pain and now they have oral morphine in their arsenal.

Answer 4

Hospice is much better in this situation. They provide medications, aides to cleanse the body, change bed linen and sometimes even do the laundry. Hospice can keep your friend much more comfortable with pain control and medical equipment at no cost to the family. They also help the family with support and comfort. I've enlisted their services 3 times for family members and I would never ever let someone who is close to 'crossing over' go without the wonderful care that Hospice provides. Bless you for caring enough to search for better care for you friend. I hope she passes peacefully.

Answer 5

I dont know the details, but here's what I know: Hospice is for people who dont have much time left. They basically take care of them until they go; and when they do, they take care of the phone calls.
If you know that they only have a matter of time, have trouble doing everyday tasks, and they live by themselves, its a very good idea to get hospice services.

Answer 6

Hospice provides free care usually that's not 24/7. Home health care does.

Answer 7

Home Health is great for the care of people in need of standard care but the Hospice thing is geared to the people who are terminal and their families---they do unbelievable work---the special way that they do everything that they do is an art form in motion---they have taken the care of the terminally ill to a level of unprecidented excellence and I personally can say nothing but good about every experience of everyone I've ever heard of having any dealings with them at all--they are angels

Answer 8

Hospice incorporates an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, aides, chaplains, social workers, therapists (for physical, speech and occupational therapy services), and volunteers who provide individualized health care and comfort to the patient and family. Hospice Care services are available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Volunteers are an essential part of hospital care. Volunteers serve as friendly visitors, provide relief for the care givers, perform errands, assist in homemaking chores, and help with transportation.

Answer 9

I'm a nurse,I work at a nursing home,sometimes if the person is already at home it's o.k if you provide hospice at home.The most important thing is comfort care.The same thing you provide at home we would do at a hospital or nursing home.The only difference is at a facility the family can request morphine to help the process.But other than that that's just about all you can offer someone who is terminally ill and make sure you keep her turned every two hrs.

Answer 10

In a hospice, generally they care for someone until their time has run out. They will sit and talk, or sing a song to the patient, or just hold their hand to comfort them until....