Arranging for a loved one to enter hospice care is never an easy decision, but it may be the best option.
As older Tulsa residents approach the end of life and need assistance to remain safe and comfortable at home, they often begin by having members of the family provide the necessary support. However, many families come to realize that they need extra help from professionals who have the skills and knowledge to properly care for elderly adults.
If you’re in the position of looking after a loved one, you may be considering local nursing centers and assisted living facilities. However, in-home hospice care services are available in Tulsa, Oklahoma – and for those who meet the requirements, the cost is covered by Medicare.
The Demand for In-Home Hospice Care Services
When in need of skilled care for aging adults, live-in facilities used to be the prevailing choice. Among residents of Tulsa, this has started to change in recent years, with more people taking advantage of in-home hospice services.
In part, this is due to choice, as older adults generally prefer to remain at home when the end of life draws near rather than having to move to a nursing center or assisted living facility. However, the large number of senior citizens in Tulsa and the surrounding northeastern Oklahoma area is another factor, and many local live-in facilities lack the space to accommodate new patients.
Like the rest of the nation, the state of Oklahoma is experiencing remarkable growth in the over-60 population. As such, the demand for in-home hospice care is increasing – and with Medicare coverage available, arranging for hospice services to be provided at home is more affordable and accessible than many people think.
How In-Home Hospice Care Works
Hospice care at home is specialized assistance for individuals with a limited life expectancy. Services are focused on patient comfort and quality of life, and skilled professionals provide everything from expert pain management and symptom control to emotional guidance and practical support.
For aging Tulsa residents who qualify – meaning those who have a terminal condition and an expected prognosis of six months or less – Medicare covers four levels of hospice care.
Routine care takes place wherever the patient lives. For many, that’s their own home or that of a close relative, but those currently residing at Tulsa nursing centers and assisted living facilities can also receive hospice services. Day-to-day care duties are usually handled by family members and friends, but nurses, therapists, counselors and other members of the interdisciplinary care team visit on a regular basis to provide the necessary support.
Most of the time, Tulsa hospice patients remain at the routine care level. When the need arises, however, three other levels of care are covered under the Medicare Hospice Benefit. These include:
Continuous home care, with registered nurses working in shifts to provide around-the-clock support, is available in the event of a medical crisis. Once the patient’s condition is stabilized, routine in-home hospice services resume.
In-patient care is available when symptoms become too difficult to manage in the home setting. The patient must move to a local hospice facility or hospital, but in most cases, this level of care is only necessary for a few days.
Respite care involves a temporary shift to in-patient care, but for the purpose of providing family caregivers with a break from their daily responsibilities. Medicare covers up to five continuous days of respite care at a time.
The Benefits of Hospice Care at Home
Providing in-home care services to aging adults can present a number of difficulties for Tulsa hospice agencies, but patients enjoy a number of advantages.
Adjusting to life at a nursing center or residential care facility can be quite the challenge for older adults. Many don’t like having to find their way around a different place or being surrounded by strangers, and suddenly having less of a say over the daily routine can be distressing.
Opting for in-home hospice care doesn’t automatically make life easy, but for those in need, getting support at home does eliminate much of the stress. Not having to leave the house helps ensure patient comfort, too, and aging adults feel as if they have more control over their care. This can all make a major difference in the end-of-life experience.
What’s more, hospice care at home offers the benefit of social involvement – family members, friends and neighbors can more easily stop by for a visit when someone is at their own Tulsa home. When people move to live-in facilities, their social groups often shrink, and many receive fewer visitors as time goes on.
Suncrest is Here to Meet Your In-Home Hospice Care Needs
If you’re thinking about arranging for in-home hospice care services for a loved one in Tulsa, Suncrest is the company to call. We’re not just a certified Medicare hospice agency – we’re a team of individuals who are dedicated to helping people enjoy life as much as possible. We’re passionate about what we do, and you can count on us to be the source of support your family needs.
For more on the Tulsa Suncrest Care Team, or to discuss hospice care at home with a compassionate and knowledgeable professional, give us a call today.
