Hospice isn’t just a place. It’s a type of specialized care that provides support and comfort for those with life-limiting terminal illnesses. While some people do need to receive this kind of care in a designated hospice facility, others prefer it somewhere more comfortable, such as in their own homes.
But can you receive hospice in a nursing home? The simple answer is “yes,” but there’s a little more to it than that. In this guide, we’ll answer this question in more detail. We’ll also dive deeper into the process of integrating hospice care within a nursing home setting.
Can You Receive Hospice in a Nursing Home?
Hospice is a form of medical and social support for people approaching the end of life. It’s a special type of care that focuses on maximizing the comfort and quality of life for people during their final weeks or months.
Eligibility
While you can receive hospice care in various settings, some eligibility requirements must be met.
To be eligible for hospice care, you must:
- Have a terminal illness diagnosis
- Have a prognosis of six months or less to live
- Accept palliative care instead of trying to cure your illness
There are also disease-specific hospice eligibility criteria based on your or your loved one’s primary diagnosis.
Both your primary physician and the hospice medical director must confirm eligibility based on the above criteria.
Hospice Care Services
Hospice care looks different for everyone, depending on the diagnosis. Your hospice team will create a dedicated care plan that caters to your unique needs and includes various services.
Hospice care services may include:
- Doctor and nursing services
- Medical supplies and durable medical equipment
- Medication for pain relief and symptom management
- Speech, physical, or occupational therapies
- Hospice aide services
- Dietary counseling
- Emotional and psychological support
- Social services
- Spiritual support from a chaplain
- Volunteer companionship
- Grief counseling for family members and other loved ones
Benefits of Hospice Care in Nursing Homes
Many people think of hospice as a dedicated inpatient facility. You can also receive hospice care wherever you live, whether in a family home, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home.
For many elderly patients, receiving hospice care in a nursing home may be the best option. It offers an extra layer of support for your family during a difficult time.
Advantages of nursing home hospice care:
- Familiar Environment. Transitioning to a new environment can be extremely stressful and emotionally challenging. If you are already living in a nursing home, choosing to receive hospice care there allows you to remain in an environment you feel safe and comfortable in.
- Convenience and Accessibility. Nursing homes are already equipped with many amenities designed to cater to residents’ needs. These amenities may include ramps, handrails, raised chairs, and beds, etc. They also have staff available around the clock to offer assistance and medical care when needed. This accessibility and convenience can help ensure the highest level of care is provided.
- Holistic Care Approach. Receiving hospice care in a nursing home also ensures a holistic approach to end-of-life care. Your entire care team can work together to manage pain and discomfort and provide emotional support.
Choosing a Nursing Home for Hospice Care
When it comes to receiving skilled and compassionate end-of-life care, choosing the right nursing home is crucial.
Finding the Right Nursing Home
Begin your search by looking for nursing homes in your area that offer hospice care services. Ask friends, family, and healthcare professionals if they have recommendations. You can also research online.
Evaluating Nursing Home Quality
When considering nursing homes, consider factors such as reputation, ratings, and reviews. You can use the Medicare Care Compare tool to do this research. Make sure you visit potential facilities to get a firsthand feel for the environment. You could ask for feedback from current or former residents and their families, too.
Communicating with Nursing Home Staff
Communication in care is vital. Talk to the nursing home staff about their approach, experience, and training in end-of-life care. Communicate your or your loved one’s needs and expectations so everyone is on the same page from the start.
Ensuring Hospice Partnership
Ensure the nursing home has an established partnership with a reputable hospice provider. Collaboration is crucial for an effective and holistic end-of-life care approach.
Differences Between Nursing Home Care and Hospice Care
One of the biggest questions most families have is, “Aren’t nursing home care and hospice care the same thing?” While this is a valid question, it’s also a common misconception. The two types of care are not the same.
Nursing home staff offer more generalized custodial care. They focus on assisting with activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, and maintaining overall quality of life. Nursing homes offer the type of services a family caregiver might provide at home.
Hospice staff offer more specialized end-of-life care. They focus on providing medical and social support that helps improve comfort and reduce the stress, pain, and other symptoms of a terminal illness.
Most nursing homes don’t have an in-house hospice team. Instead, they work in partnership with a specialized hospice provider. Hospice complements the existing care provided by a nursing home. It offers more specialized services to residents who require this extra care.
Costs and Insurance
Hospice services provided in a nursing facility are 100% covered by Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) as long as you meet the medical eligibility requirements. The nursing home you choose must also partner with a Medicare-certified hospice provider.
Medicare does not cover the expenses associated with room and board at the nursing home itself. These costs must be paid out of pocket or by another provider.
The coverage of hospice care and nursing home care by Medicaid is optional and varies by state. Medicaid may cover one or both of these costs if you meet your state’s financial eligibility requirements.
If you or your loved one are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid, hospice care may also be covered by a private insurance provider or HMO.
Preparing for Hospice Care
The transition into hospice care is an emotional and stressful time for those receiving care and their loved ones, but there are some things you can do to prepare and make the change a little easier.
- Preparing Emotionally and Practically. Transitioning to hospice care is a big decision. Take time to process the decision and seek support from family and friends. On a more practical note, make sure to gather important documents like medical records and insurance information so the need for them doesn’t create more stress later on.
- Family Discussions and Support. Sit down with loved ones and discuss your or your loved one’s wishes and preferences regarding end-of-life care. Make sure everyone is on the same page as you begin the process.
- Making the Nursing Home Feel Like Home. When moving into a new nursing home, bring personal items like family photos, blankets, and sentimental possessions. Meaningful belongings can offer some much-needed familiarity and comfort during the transition.
- Creating a Comfortable Environment. It’s also crucial to make sure the nursing home room is as comfortable as possible. Consider things like lighting, temperature, and room arrangement. Is there a comfortable seating area for guests? Are essential items accessible? Little adjustments can make a big difference.
The Role of Family Caregivers
Even with the support of nursing home and hospice care teams, family caregivers still play a vital role in end-of-life care.
Families often need to assist with advance care planning, particularly if your loved one has a cognitive disease such as dementia. This planning may include discussions about care preferences, medical interventions, and final arrangements.
Throughout end-of-life care, you’ll need to act as an advocate for your loved one’s wishes, ensuring their preferences are considered in all decisions.
Family caregivers also play an essential role in providing emotional support. Your presence offers companionship, comfort, and reassurance for your loved one during a difficult time.
Improving Quality of Life
One of the major benefits of choosing hospice care is how much it can improve the overall quality of life in a person’s final few weeks or months. Specialized hospice staff ensure you or your loved one receive the most comfortable and dignified end-of-life care possible.
Hospice care focuses on managing pain and alleviating discomfort so you and your family can focus on the time you have left together. Hospice providers can also help your family navigate difficult decisions and grief during this period.
Common Myths and Misconceptions
Hospice is a delicate subject that many people feel uncomfortable discussing. Unfortunately, avoiding the topic has also led to many myths and misconceptions about hospice care.
- Myth: Hospice is a place that people go to when they are dying.
- Truth: While inpatient hospice facilities do exist, hospice is a type of specialized care rather than a specific place. You can receive hospice care in your own home, a nursing home, or any other type of care facility.
- Myth: Hospice is only for cancer patients.
- Truth: Hospice is for anyone with a terminal illness. These illnesses can include late-stage heart disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other dementias.
- Myth: Hospice is only for people during their final days.
- Truth: Hospice is for anyone with a prognosis of under six months. It’s better to start receiving hospice care as early as possible rather than leaving it until the final days.
- Myth: There’s no turning back from hospice.
- Truth: Receiving hospice care requires you to accept palliative care instead of trying to cure your illness. However, you are free to transition out of hospice care at any point and re-enroll in curative treatments.
Hospice Care with Providence Home Care
Providence Home Care is a Medicare-certified medical and non-medical home care agency based in Oklahoma City. Our team of compassionate professionals offers specialized hospice care services in the comfort of your own home or a nursing home setting. Contact us today to learn more about hospice care with Providence.