What Is Hospice Care At Home?

The philosophy of hospice care is to accept death as the final stage of life. Hospice is specialized medical care provided to people experiencing advanced life-limiting illnesses. It often begins during the latter stages of the disease, when treatment is no longer effective in curing or controlling it. Hospice caregivers focus on treating and managing symptoms to ensure the best quality of life and dignity during the patient's last days.

At-Home Hospice Care

Most people prefer to receive special care in the comfort of their homes instead of in a special facility. Hospice care services are delivered in the patient's residence and involve working with the primary caregiver to provide 24/7 support. While the practice is centered in the patient’s home, there are times when visiting a hospital or inpatient hospice center is crucial. 

The home team can arrange inpatient care and stay involved until they're released to in-home care. At home hospice involves providing care and support to persons in their primary residences. The hospice service provider may offer palliative care, symptoms management, respite and bereavement care, and more. Caregivers are sent to the patient’s home.

What Home Hospice Entails

Hospice service teams are healthcare professionals who work with the patient’s primary caregiver to provide round-the-clock care and support. The primary caregiver can be a family member or close friend and works with the hospice service team to develop care plans for specific needs. They also provide physical care and help with keeping symptoms records. Home hospice services may entail the following:

1.    Palliative Care & Symptom Control

Hospice services use palliative care and symptom control to reduce pain, suffering, and emotional distress. The goal is to treat or relieve different types of pain so the patient can live as comfortably as possible.

2.    Home Care & Inpatient Hospice

Patients of hospice need physical care at home, usually provided by a primary caregiver or assigned healthcare professional. The inpatient hospice team takes over when the patient is admitted to a hospital or extended-care facility.

3.    Coordination of Care

Hospice teams work with families and caregivers to coordinate 24/7 support and help. When you face problems day or night, the hospice service can provide aid to find the best solution, medical facility, first-aid, or emergency service.

4.    Respite Care

Primary caregivers and family members deserve some days off to let other people handle their responsibilities. Respite care provides opportunities to entrust a hospice team with caring for a patient for up to five days. This can happen at home or at the hospice service facility.

5.    Bereavement Care

Hospice service can include bereavement care to provide emotional and professional support to families mourning the loss of a loved one. The caregivers can leverage their networks and refer you to other medical professionals and services.

Reputable Hospice Care Service Providers

Hospice services can help you provide the best care and support for loved ones during their final days, weeks, or months. The priority is to monitor and provide 24/7 support until the last days, allowing the patient to live their best life despite their fatal conditions. Ballinger Home Health & Hospice offers safe, effective, and high-quality healthcare and hospice services to clients in their residences. We are accessible, affordable, and available to your family.