An estimated 20% of the U.S. population will be over 65 by 2030. That being said, the number of patients being admitted to assisted care facilities continues to grow. But with so many different options, how can you determine which will provide the most comfortable living situation for your loved one? Here's a quick guide that will tell you everything you need to know about the main differences between nursing homes and holistic hospice care services.
Nursing Homes
A nursing home is a type of assisted living facility that provides care to a number of patients, many of whom have been through a recent injury like a fall. The patients are not considered to be 'terminal' and can stay in a nursing home for years to receive the care they need.
It's also important to make the distinction that many nursing homes do accept hospice care patients under the right circumstances. So what type of care do nursing home residents receive?
"Essentially, nursing home residents tend to require a good deal of help with daily living activities, such as dressing, bathing or moving around. Staffers such as nurses’ aides help with the care...Residents generally aren’t allowed to leave on their own, at least not without notifying someone, but nursing homes usually provide a wide range of entertainment and socialization activities," says Senior Living.
Hospice Care Services
Hospice typically starts after a formal referral has been made. A hospice representative will then visit the patient within 48 hours of that referral. The main difference is that hospice care services are for patients with terminal illnesses. Rather than treating the patient's medical issues, the care is focused around providing the patient with the best possible quality of life and making them comfortable. Due to the nature of this type of care, most patients are in hospice care for six months or less.
The number of hospice patients grew from 513,000 in 2000 to nearly 1.4 million in 2015. Understanding the differences between each assisted living option can help you make the best decision for your loved ones. For more information about holistic hospice care services, contact Soulistic Hospice.
