If you’re going through health challenges or terminal illnesses, there are two types of care often that can help you deal with your situation: home health care and hospice care. While both offer essential support, they serve distinct purposes and have significant differences.
To help you decide which one can benefit you or your family member better, here’s a comprehensive guide on their similarities and differences.
What is the difference between hospice and home health care?
The fundamental difference between hospice and home health care lies in the types of people they’re suited for. Home health care is often prescribed by a physician and its purpose is to provide medical and non-medical services to those with acute or chronic health conditions. On the other hand, hospice care is a specialized form of care designed for people with terminal illnesses who are no longer pursuing curative treatment.
The differences: Home health vs. hospice
Here are the detailed differences between home health and hospice health care.
Purpose
The primary purpose of home health care is to improve the health and independence by providing medical treatment and support for people who are:
- Recovering from illness
- Going through post-surgery
- Managing chronic conditions
Hospice care is designed for people with terminal illnesses who have chosen to forgo curative treatment. With this type of care, the primary focus is geared towards the end-of-life process. Parts of the caregiver’s duty are to:
- Providing comfort
- Symptom management
- Emotional support
Services
For home health care, services include:
- Skilled nursing
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Medication management
- Wound care
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
Hospice care services focus on the comfort and quality of life. These include:
- Pain management
- Symptom control
- Emotional support
- Spiritual care
- Bereavement counselling
The eligibility requirements
Your healthcare provider determines if you’d benefit from home health care services. If you have a medical condition that requires skilled medical care or therapy, then there’s a high chance that they’d recommend it.
To qualify for hospice care, you must have a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less if the disease follows its normal course. Aside from this, you must also choose palliative care over curative treatment.
Insurance coverage
In general, your coverage depends on the insurance plan you have.
Medicare and many private insurance plans cover home health care services when prescribed by a physician and deemed medically necessary .Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance also covers hospice care. Coverage includes services related to the terminal illness and isn’t dependent on your financial status.
The care team for home health and hospice
In home health care, the care team will work together to provide medical and therapeutic care. These professionals include:
- Registered nurses
- Licensed practical nurses
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Home health aides
The hospice care team consists of professionals specialized in end-of-life care who will provide emotional and spiritual support. This team includes:
- Nurses
- Physicians
- Social workers
- Chaplains
- Counsellors
- Volunteers
Frequency and length of care
How often and how long home health care services last depends on your condition and your treatment plan. Depending on your need, this can be either short-term or long-term.
On the other hand, hospice care is generally provided during the last six months of life, as determined by a physician. The length of hospice care can vary, but the focus is on providing comfort and support during this critical time.
The goals of home health and hospice
When you receive home health care support, the primary goal is to improve your health and independence, particularly helping you to recover faster and in a healthy manner. While home health care services focus on getting better, the primary goal of hospice care is to prioritize your comfort, dignity and quality of life during the end-of-life stage. It’s about making your remaining time as pain-free and fulfilling as possible.
The location of care for home health and hospice
Home health care support happens in your home. This way, you can receive medical and therapeutic services in a familiar and comfortable environment.
The home is also an option to where you receive hospice care, but it can also be provided in a nursing home or hospice facility.
Here’s a quick overview of all their differences.
| Â | Home health care | Hospice care |
| Purpose | Provide medical treatment and support for those who are recovering from illness and surgery or managing chronic conditions | Support those with terminal illnesses who have chosen to forgo curative treatment |
| Services |
Skilled nursing Physical therapy Occupational therapy Medication management Wound care Assistance with activities of daily living | Pain management Symptom control Emotional support Spiritual care Bereavement counselling |
| Eligibility requirements | Determined by your healthcare provider if you have a medical condition that requires skilled medical care or therapy | Terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less if the disease follows its normal course, as well as choosing palliative care over curative treatment
|
| Insurance coverage | Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance | |
| Care team | Registered nurses Licensed practical nurses Physical therapists Occupational therapists Home health aides
| Nurses Physicians Social workers Chaplains Counsellors Volunteers |
| Frequency and length of care | Short-term or long-term, as needed | Last six months of life, in general |
| Goals | Improve the health, recovery and independence | Provide comfort and dignity during the end-of-life stage |
The similarities between home health and hospice
While home health care and hospice care differ significantly in their purpose and focus, they share some commonalities, like the following:
- In-home care. Both types of care can be performed in a home setting.
- Holistic approach. Both consider your physical, emotional and psychological well-being when creating a care plan.
- Caregiver support. Both types of care often involve family caregivers who help and provide companionship.
- Emotional support. Both offer emotional support to you and your family, recognizing the emotional challenges that can accompany illness and end-of-life care.
Key takeaway
Home health care and hospice care are distinct forms of care with different purposes and approaches. Home health care focuses on medical treatment, recovery and maintaining independence, while hospice care prioritizes comfort, symptom management and emotional support during end-of-life stages.
Understanding the differences between these two types of care is crucial for making informed decisions about care options for yourself or your loved ones. Depending on the health condition and goals, one or both forms of care may be appropriate at different stages of their healthcare journey.
