When it’s time to find end-of-life care for yourself or a loved one, you want to feel confident in your decision. Weigh the pros and cons of all your options. The more you know about the types of care available, the more likely you are to find a service that gives you or your loved one the best physical, emotional, and spiritual care possible. When looking at different hospice programs, one question many families have is whether they should choose home or inpatient hospice. Learn more and make the best decision for your situation with this guide on how to choose home hospice vs. inpatient hospice.
Home Hospice Care
Home hospice care is the more common option. In this situation, your hospice team comes to you, allowing you to age in place at your own residence. Alternatively, you can receive home hospice care at an assisted living facility, nursing home, or another residential program. Home hospice requires patients to have a primary caregiver—usually a close friend or family member—who is with them most of the time. The hospice service provides training, resources, and respite care for this family member. Additionally, your home hospice service will build a team of nurses, doctors, and specialists to provide care virtually or through home visits.
Inpatient Hospice Care
Inpatient hospice care usually occurs when a patient doesn’t have a primary caregiver or needs more complicated or consistent care than a home caregiver can provide. A hospice patient might also utilize inpatient care while their primary caregiver is temporarily unavailable or unable to provide for them. Examples of inpatient hospice care include long-term care facilities or hospice units within hospitals. In many cases, the goal of inpatient hospice care is to get the patient back to a place where they can return to their home and receive care there.
Hospice as a Philosophy
No matter which option you choose, the goal of hospice care is to provide holistic end-of-life care for patients. This approach involves addressing emotional, spiritual, and social health in addition to any medical conditions. When deciding how to choose home hospice vs. inpatient hospice care, the most important thing is to find a service that prioritizes your comfort and needs for as long as you’re in their care.
