Most people have heard of hospice care. But not everyone knows exactly what hospice care is. In fact, a lot of people have a misunderstanding of where hospice takes place and what the goals of this type of care are.
Hospice is a type of care that a patient qualifies for with a terminal diagnosis. Its purpose is to increase comfort, not cure the disease. Let’s explain in more depth.
What Hospice Care Is
Hospice is a type of end-of-life care. Once a patient has received a terminal diagnosis with an estimated six months to live, they are eligible for hospice care covered by Medicare. There are other options for paying for hospice as well, such as Medicaid, private insurance, and veterans’ benefits.
A patient entering hospice has made the decision to stop attempting to cure the disease associated with the terminal diagnosis. Instead, they will be receiving care designed to enhance quality of life by improving comfort and autonomy.
Hospice care takes place mainly in a patient’s home, whether that is a private house, an assisted living facility, a nursing home, or another type of dwelling.
An interdisciplinary team works together and coordinates with the patient’s primary caregiver (usually a family member). They visit the patient’s home to provide care, and can bring the patient to an inpatient facility if needed. The goal of inpatient care is to stabilize the patient so they can go back home.
What Hospice Care Is Not
Some people mix up hospice care with palliative care. They are related, as both are aimed at increasing comfort, rather than curative efforts. But palliative care can be provided to anyone, whereas hospice is specifically for patients with a six-month terminal diagnosis.
Palliative care overlaps with hospice, in that it is one of the types of care hospice can provide. But people outside of hospice may also receive palliative care, and may still be trying to cure their conditions with other types of care.
Some people also are under the impression that if a patient enters hospice, it will hasten their death. This is not true. Research shows just the opposite. This paper states that receiving even one day of hospice care can extend life expectancy by up to three months.
So, when a patient enters hospice, it often leads to more time, and better quality of that time. Instead of going to and from clinics for stressful appointments and treatments, the patient can spend time at home with loved ones. If the patient ends up outliving their original projected six months, hospice can be extended. This can be done as many times as necessary, and still be covered by Medicare.
Learn More About Hospice Care in Burbank
To learn how we can help you and your family, please contact us today at (818) 748-3427 to schedule a consultation. We offer hospice services throughout the Burbank area. During your consultation, we will take time to answer all of your questions about hospice.
