When a loved one faces a serious, life-limiting illness, hospice care at home becomes an important consideration. However, for many people in Cincinnati, Ohio, navigating the complexities of this sort of situation can be daunting.
If you’re in this position, asking the right questions – about the timing for hospice, the services provided and how to arrange for care, to name a few – can help ensure that your loved one receives hospice support when they need it. To start, consider the questions we often hear from people who want to know more about hospice care at home.
What is Hospice Care at Home?
Hospice is a special type of support offered to individuals who have an incurable illness and an expected prognosis of six months or less. The focus is on comfort measures, and the goal is to ensure the highest possible quality of life for whatever time remains.
With hospice care at home, support is provided in the comfort of a patient’s own home or wherever they currently reside. Being in a familiar environment, with family and friends close by, promotes a sense of security and allows for a more peaceful and fulfilling end-of-life experience. Hospice services are personalized to meet the specific needs of the patient and the family, but the plan of care typically includes:
- Pain and symptom management services
- Medical supervision and skilled nursing care
- Emotional, social and spiritual support
- Music, art and other specialized therapies
- Help with personal care and household tasks
- Grief counseling and bereavement care services
In addition, hospice agencies provide the medication, medical equipment and medical supplies the patient needs. Family caregivers receive training on how to properly care for a loved one, and when they need time away to recharge or to attend a special event, short-term respite care is available.
What is the Cost of Hospice Care at Home?
Given the numerous benefits of in-home hospice support, you might think that this type of care comes at a high cost. You’re right – but paying for hospice care doesn’t need to be a concern for most Cincinnati patients.
How so? Well, the majority of people who qualify for hospice have health insurance through Medicare, which offers complete coverage for virtually all of the services an incurably ill individual requires. The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) and Tricare through the Department of Defense also cover the costs of hospice care
Not everyone has Medicare or military benefits, of course. Fortunately, the Ohio Medicaid program and most private insurance plans provide similar coverage. Uninsured patients have options, too, and Cincinnati hospice agencies have staff members who can explain the alternatives and point families toward payment assistance programs.
When is the Right Time for Hospice Care?
At its core, hospice care at home is designed to help individuals who are in the end stages of life enjoy their remaining time to the fullest. But while the concept is relatively simple, deciding when to arrange for hospice support isn’t always easy.
In-home hospice care becomes an option once a doctor certifies that an incurably ill individual has a prognosis of six months or less. However, the six-month life expectancy rule is a bit confusing, as it seems to indicate that patients are limited to six months of hospice services. This isn’t the case – as long as the illness remains and the prognosis hasn’t changed, the full cost of hospice is covered.
As for when it’s time to consider hospice care at home, that’s a personal choice. Cincinnati patients tend to be open to the idea when the following are true:
- Treatments have proven to be ineffective in curing the illness or in slowing its progression
- All treatment options have been exhausted and continuing the search for a cure wouldn’t be beneficial
- Priorities have shifted to comfort, symptom control and an improved quality of life during the final chapter
With that being said, it often falls to the family to initiate the hospice conversation. Some signs that an incurably ill individual may be ready for hospice care at home include:
- Difficulty performing daily living tasks
- More frequent doctor and hospital visits
- Weight loss or less interest in eating
- Worsening insomnia or incontinence
- Increased restlessness or agitation
- Spending more and more time in bed
Deciding when to start hospice requires careful consideration, and it’s normal for patients and families to have questions. When in doubt, contacting a Cincinnati hospice agency is the right move.
What is the Procedure for Entering Hospice?
In Cincinnati, Ohio, many people are under the impression that getting a physician’s referral is the first step to arranging for hospice care at home. In actuality, anyone can schedule a free consultation with a hospice specialist.
Medicare-certified hospice agencies – like Suncrest – are happy to send a representative out to someone’s home for an in-person assessment. If the individual qualifies and is ready to enroll, the admission process can begin. And, the decision isn’t irreversible. At any point, a patient can return to curative treatment, without closing the door on hospice care.
Do you have a loved one who is facing a serious, life-limiting illness? The professional team at Suncrest of Cincinnati is here to answer your questions about hospice care at home, and you can count on us to help your family through this difficult time. For more information, contact us today.
