Learn More About Home Care and Hospice

As a trusted leader in home and community wellness for more than 40 years, VNA understands how difficult and confusing it can be to navigate the many challenges of caregiving. The following frequently asked questions address many of the concerns that families have when deciding whether home care or hospice is the right choice for their loved one.

 

If you have additional questions, we're here to help. Simply call our Customer Center toll-free at 1-877-862-6659 to speak with a knowledgeable and courteous VNA staff member.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Care

 

What is home care?

Home care encompasses a variety of health and social services provided in the comfort of the patient's home, offering a better alternative to placement in a hospital, nursing home or other institutional setting that is preferred by many patients and their families.

 

 

What services can home care provide?

Medical services that can be provided in the home include nursing care, rehabilitation and therapy services and care for specific conditions such as cancer, congestive heart failure and diabetes. Home care can also include supportive services designed to provide respite for family caregivers, such as private duty services, personal care and companion services and geriatric care management.

 

 

For whom is home care an appropriate choice?

Home care can be a good choice for anyone who needs more extensive ongoing care than can be easily or effectively provided by family and friends. Individuals of any age can benefit from the services of a licensed home care agency, including those who are disabled, recuperating from an illness or injury, in need of follow-up care following a hospital stay or coping with a chronic condition or terminal illness.

 

 

Why choose home care?

Home care patients benefit from a feeling of greater security and independence, while their families enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that their loved one is receiving personalized, attentive care in the comfort of home. In fact, research has shown that home care can help to improve emotional as well as physical well-being, as patients who receive care at home not only heal more quickly but also report being more satisfied with life.

 

Furthermore, in most cases, the cost of receiving care in the home is significantly less than in a hospital or nursing home setting.

 

 

Who pays for home care services?

The cost of home care services can be paid for either by the patient or through a variety of public and private sources including:

• Medicare
• Medigap
• Medicaid
• Older Americans Act (OAA)
• Veterans Administration
• Social Services Block Grant Programs
• Long-term care insurance
• Other private insurance policies

 

Coverage varies by state and policy, so consult with your home care provider or social worker for more information. Also, certain community-based, nonprofit home health care organizations, like VNA, can work with families to provide care to individuals regardless of their ability to pay for services.

 

---

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Hospice

 

What is hospice care?

Hospice care serves the needs of individuals of any age who are coping with life-limiting conditions such as cancer, emphysema, ALS, diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and HIV/AIDS as well as cardiovascular, neuromuscular, kidney and liver diseases. Patients are typically referred to hospice care when their prognosis is six months or less, although they can remain in hospice care beyond six months under the direction of a physician.

 

 

Why choose hospice?

When an illness no longer responds to curative treatment or the patient elects to discontinue such treatment, hospice empowers the patient and their family to make positive choices concerning their physical, emotional and spiritual care during life’s final stages. Working in collaboration with the patient’s physician, an interdisciplinary hospice team implements a personalized plan of palliative care, which can include education about the condition, management of pain and development of support networks.

 

 

What kind of services should I expect from a hospice care provider?

Hospice care focuses on meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and their family. As such, care is provided by an interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, counselors and trained volunteers who offer services including:

• Medical direction for the patient’s care
• Regular home care visits to monitor the patient’s condition
• Pain and symptom management
• Instruction for family members on caregiving skills
• Physical, speech and occupational therapy when needed
• Dietary counseling
• Medical equipment and supplies
• Home health aide and homemaker services
• Emotional support and counseling
• Caregiver respite
• Social work
• Bereavement counseling

 

 

How does hospice care begin?

Hospice care begins with a referral from a physician, typically when the patient's prognosis is six months or less. Next, hospice staff meets with the person and their family to discuss their specific needs and concerns. Working in collaboration with the patient’s physician, the hospice team develops and implements a personalized plan of palliative care, which usually begins within a day or two of referral.

 

For more information about hospice care, talk to your loved one's physician or call your local hospice provider.

 

 

When is the right time to ask about hospice care?

It is best to discuss hospice care long before the time of need arrives. By planning ahead, families can make well-informed decisions together and take comfort in knowing that a plan is in place if and when hospice care is required.

 

 

How do I pay for hospice care?

Medicare, Medicaid (in 43 states) and private health insurance cover the cost of hospice care for patients who meet eligibility criteria, although there may be co-pays or deductibles required, depending on the terms of the individual policy.

 

In addition, certain community-based, nonprofit hospice organizations, like VNA, can work with families to provide care regardless of their ability to pay for services.

 

How do I choose the right hospice care?

Learn more