Here are some of the possible advantages and disadvantages of hospice care to consider.
Hospice includes comprehensive, interdisciplinary care from a team of professionals and hospice volunteers.
Care is available 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays.
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Patients and their family members or personal caregivers always have access to hospice professionals when they need assistance.
Hospice careseeks to manage pain and other symptoms.
The palliative care provided by hospice focuses on comfort and quality of life.
Hospice provides support for caregivers.Aside from nurses, hospice does not provide patients with personal caregivers.
Choosing hospice usually results in a reduction in your out-of-pocket expensesfor medications, durable medical equipment, andmedical supplies.
Medicare, Medicaid, and/or your private insurance typically cover the cost of these necessary items for hospice patients.
Choosing hospice care can also mean avoiding unwanted hospitalizations, medical treatments, and procedures.
Hospices provide help with medical and non-medical needs.
Hospice addresses the spiritual and psychological needs of patients and their caregivers.
Many hospices will also deliver any specialized equipment or medications required to the patient’s residence.
The palliative care team looks at illness through a special lens and focuses on comfort and quality of life.
Because these tests are expensive and might not always prove beneficial, hospice agencies often will not approve them.
Participation in experimental treatments or clinical trials is limited, even if you are considered eligible.
Insurance may not fully cover hospice care for all people.
Most hospice patients are eligible for 100% hospice coverage under Medicare.
There can be exceptions, however.
Hospice care is not always available.
Unfortunately, hospices often have to turn away patients due to a lack of hospice beds.
Quality of care concerns are common.
Families and caregivers often feel guilt for choosing hospice care.
Such feelings can make coping with the potential loss of their loved one’s life especially difficult.
What Is Usually Not Included in Hospice Care?
Hospice care programs do not provide curative or life-prolonging treatments, such as chemotherapy or organ transplants.
Why Do People Not Choose Hospice?
Many hospices also provide opportunities for extended care.
Once a person enters hospice care, they cannot leave: Hospice care is entirely at will.
A DNR is the patient’s decision.
Even if you do not sign one, you’re able to still receive hospice care.
National Institute on Aging.What are palliative care and hospice care?
2018 Mar;35(3):431-439. doi:10.1177/1049909117715215
National Alliance for Care at Home.Hospice care.
American Cancer Society.Where is hospice care provided and how is it paid for?
Crossroads Hospice.Paying for hospice care: Who pays & what is covered?
National Cancer Institute.Choices for care when treatment may not be an option.
2021 May 6;13(5):1562. doi:10.3390/nu13051562
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Office of Inspector General.What is hospice care?
Eichelberger T, Shadiack A.Life expectancy with hospice care.Am Fam Phys.
2018;97(5).
