Understanding Home Health Care

When I was diagnosed with a serious condition, I didn't know where to start with my treatment. Fortunately, my doctor recommended a great home health care company, and they came right in to take care of things. They were incredibly kind and caring, and before I knew it, I started to feel a lot better. I wanted to create a blog all about home health care to remove some of the misconceptions people have about the service. This blog is dedicated to creating an environment of healing right inside of your very home. Check out this blog for great information.

Getting Hospice Care For A Terminally Ill Loved One

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The transition from this world to the next seemingly happens unexpectedly and quickly or painfully slowly. You may struggle to watch a loved one with a terminal disease come to terms with their fate while in so much pain. Most people don't have the medical knowledge or psychological knowledge to handle the situation alone. You want to make your loved one as comfortable as possible, but you'll need help in the form of hospice care. Learn more about getting hospice care for a terminally ill loved one.  

What Is Hospice Care?

Hospice care refers to at-home medical care tailored to patients with less than 6 months to live. Hospice workers also offer spiritual and emotional support. They can also help families communicate about final preparations thoroughly and clearly, yet respectfully. 

Hospice care does not aim to make a patient better but keep them comfortable. Services provided by hospice care include:

  • Administering medication (especially pain relief)
  • Providing medical equipment often found at the hospital but not at home, such as a wheelchair and oxygen
  • Helping with physical therapy
  • Providing speech-language pathology
  • Dietary counseling
  • Grief and loss counseling for the patient and loved ones

 Who Should Get Hospice Care?

Hospice care patients tend to be seniors with terminal illnesses, such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's disease, stroke, cirrhosis, and Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). Young people with terminal illnesses can also receive hospice care, albeit it will be somewhat different due to the different needs of the patients. 

How to Receive Hospice Care

Before you request hospice care, you will need to get a recommendation from your loved one's primary doctor as well as a secondary doctor. You can get hospice through Medicare or an independent hospice provider depending on your resources. Your doctor may have referrals for you, as well. Clarify billing questions at the very beginning stages of the process to avoid unexpected bills. 

How Much Does Hospice Cost?

The cost of hospice varies based on your needs and provider. You can use the following average rates to help you estimate what the cost will be:

  • Routine home care—$199.25/day
  • Continuous home care—$1,432.41/day
  • Respite inpatient care—$461.09/day
  • General inpatient care—$1,045.66/day

Hospice care will not cover the cost of prescriptions. They also won't cover the cost of ambulance rides and other costs accrued due to an unexpected medical emergency. 

You don't have to comfort your loved one alone. Get professional help with hospice care. Contact a local hospice care service, such as Good Heart Hospice, to learn more. 

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13 December 2022