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How Can I Find Out About Palliative Home Care?
Date Updated: December 14, 2024
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Ashlee Shefer is a freelance copywriter, content writer, and digital marketer who specializes in senior care, mental health, health care, and other wellness-related topics. She has one year of experience writing both short- and long-form content related to senior resources, assisted living, nursing homes, and home care, including blog posts, research-based articles, resource guides, product reviews, facility blurbs, finances, and care costs.
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Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a health care professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM – Toronto, Canada.
You can find out about palliative home care by talking to your doctor and asking for provider referrals. Palliative care provides specialized medical care to enhance the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses. Unlike hospice care, individuals in palliative care don't necessarily have an estimated time to live. They can also enter care during any stage of their disease.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care: What's the Difference?
Both palliative and hospice care focus on improving the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses and offer at-home service options. However, palliative care provides symptom relief at any stage of a disease and may include curative treatment, depending on the situation. Meanwhile, hospice care caters to individuals who have terminal illnesses with an estimated 6 months or less to live. It mainly centers on comfort care without curative treatment.
Additionally, many insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover hospice care for eligible individuals. Insurance plans may cover certain costs associated with palliative care, although restrictions may apply. For example, eligibility criteria for Medicare coverage include having a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less and opting for comfort care instead of curative treatment. A doctor must also provide certification of the terminal illness.
How Does Palliative Home Care Work?
Some people prefer receiving palliative care at home to remain in familiar surroundings. A doctor can refer you to a palliative service provider, which develops a palliative care team based on your disease type and unique health needs. This team includes a range of health care professionals, such as nurses, therapists, a primary doctor and a disease specialist. They provide services according to your individualized care plan to improve symptoms, comfort and quality of life. Services commonly include:
- Medical evaluations
- Symptom monitoring
- Medications
- Specialized therapies
- Spiritual guidance
- Skilled nursing services
- Patient and family education
Care team members travel directly to your home to provide these services. They also make adjustments to your care plan as needed. Additionally, some providers or treatments may require a doctor's referral to arrange care.