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Heartfelt at Home

November is National Home Care & Hospice Month, a time to recognize the essential roles that home health care and hospice play in providing compassionate, personalized care in the comfort of your own home. These services not only improve quality of life but also support individuals and their families during times of illness, recovery, and end-of-life care.

But what exactly are home health care and hospice, and how do they differ? Let’s explore the important roles these services play.

What is home health care?

Home health care is curative medical care. It’s care provided in the home that is designed to help individuals get better from an illness, injury, or a chronic condition or to provide ongoing treatments that don’t need to happen in a clinic. Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. Typically prescribed by a physician, home health care can include medication management, wound care, rehabilitation therapies (like physical therapy), and medical social services. The care can range from part-time to 24 hours, seven days a week.

In 2020, over 3 million Medicare beneficiaries received in-home medical support. For Medicare coverage, the person must be homebound and unable to leave because of the condition or disability. There are also limits on the types of medical care covered, although Medicaid may cover state costs depending on the state. Private insurance typically doesn’t pay for home health care. Individuals are responsible for anything Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance won’t pay for.

What is hospice?

Hospice care is focused on providing support when seeking a cure is no longer possible or effective. Individuals using hospice usually have a life expectancy of about six months or less. The goal is to ensure comfort and quality of life during a person’s final months. Hospice care includes pain management, spiritual counseling, medical equipment, day-to-day assistance, and emotional and grief support for the patient and their families. The hospice team includes a wide variety of medical providers, volunteers, and family members.

Hospice can be provided wherever a person calls home, whether a private residence, a nursing facility, or specialized hospice center. In 2022, 1.72 million Medicare participants received hospice — most had care in their own private house or apartment. For those on Medicare, hospice is covered through the Medicare Hospice Benefit. The Veterans’ Administration (VA) benefits also cover hospice care. Depending on the state, Medicaid may cover hospice, and many private and work insurance plans provide some coverage.

What does at-home care look like?

Both home health care and hospice are highly personalized, ensuring that the care plan fits the unique needs of each individual. Here’s what a typical day might look like in each.

Home Health Care

A nurse visits the home to administer medication, check vital signs, and monitor progress. A physical therapist may also come by to guide exercises aimed at improving strength and mobility. The patient can recover from surgery or manage a chronic illness like COPD or diabetes, all from the comfort of home.

Hospice A hospice nurse visits the home to manage symptoms, adjust medications for pain or discomfort, and provide guidance to the family on how to care for their loved one. A chaplain or counselor may also stop by to offer emotional support. The focus is entirely on the patient’s comfort and ensuring they can spend their time as peacefully and pain-free as possible.

Understanding these services and navigating options can feel overwhelming, but there are free government and non-profit resources to help:

• Medicare provides coverage for both home health care and hospice services. You can visit medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE for more information on eligibility.
• National Institute on Aging (NIA) offers comprehensive information on home health care, caregiving, and hospice. Visit https://www.nia.nih.gov/ for resources.
• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) provides helpful tools for understanding hospice care and finding local hospice providers. Visit nhpco.org.
• Eldercare Locator is a public service that connects seniors and their families with local resources, including home health and hospice services. Visit https://eldercare.acl.gov/ or call 1-800-677-1116.

Home health care and hospice play critical roles in ensuring that individuals receive the care they need, where they feel most comfortable—at home. While home health care focuses on medical recovery and management, hospice provides compassionate, end-of-life care centered on comfort. As we recognize National Home Care & Hospice Month, let’s take a moment to appreciate such heartfelt, personalized care at home.