Nursing Homes or Hospice Care; Which Should You Choose?

When looking for a suitable choice for a patient with a terminal illness or your loved ones in their twilight years, one of the most common questions asked is whether to go for hospice care or a nursing home. While these two are highly common in the country, most people are still unaware of the differences between the two.

What sets hospice care apart from nursing homes, and which one is more fitting to your loved one’s needs?

In a nutshell, nursing homes cater to anyone who needs continual medical assistance and whose conditions need to be observed religiously. Any patient with deteriorating, but not necessarily terminal, health conditions may be admitted into a nursing home.

On the other hand, hospice care is specifically intended for a patient with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less.

While nursing homes are the common choice for those who prefer to have round-the-clock medical care, choosing hospice care services can be a better option for patients and families who are looking for a more extensive and holistic approach to end-of-life care. Hospices aim to help alleviate the discomfort that comes with the patient’s illness in the hopes of making his or her remaining time as comfortable as possible. This includes not just medical care and pain management, but also the mental, spiritual, and emotional support that the patient needs. Aside from care given directly to the patient, hospice care also allows for comfort and support to be provided to the family.

Another significant difference between the two is where the aid will be catered to the patient. Nursing homes would require the patient to stay in the facility while hospice care may be provided right in the comforts of the patient’s home. This gives the patient and their families more opportunities to spend as much of their remaining time together as possible.

Choosing to hire professional medical assistance for your loved one at a time they need it most is no easy task for any family. Understanding the patient’s needs can help you make a more informed decision about this all-important feat. After all, we want to ensure that our loved one gets the best possible care that he or she needs.