Advantages and Disadvantages of Hospice Care

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Last Updated on September 10, 2021 by Frank Davis

In order to make a decision as to what is the best option for your care at the end of life, it can be beneficial for you to compare the advantages and disadvantages of hospice care. Since every situation is unique in its own way, hospice care may be a good choice if what you are looking for fits what you need. Whether you decide to use hospice care for yourself will depend on your own personal situation and what type of care is appropriate for you.

In the following article, we will be discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of hospice care.

What are the Advantages of Hospice Care

• Avoid unwanted hospitalizations – As part of the goal of hospice care, we aim to provide personal care that is similar to that offered by hospitals, but in a safe, comfortable environment. If a problem arose, the nurse may have to go to your house and assess the patient’s condition. Once the nurse relays the information to the doctor, he may then prescribe medication to the patient, or provide additional services to provide comfort care. As a result, this may avoid the need for hospitalization.
• Cost effective -The hospice care you choose won’t cost you anything out of your own pocket since it will be covered by insurance. The majority of Medicare, Medical, or private insurance plans will cover 100% of your hospice care.
• Care is available 24 hours a day – In the event you require assistance, nurses are available 24 hours a day. We encourage you to contact the hospice staff in case of an emergency, and they will help you at any time of the day or night.
• Includes an interdisciplinary team – As part of the team there are doctors, nurses, therapists, counselors, home health aides, as well as volunteers. Throughout the patient’s time in hospice care, the hospice team will make periodic visits to the patient.
• Medicine, medical equipment, and medical supplies are supplied – We make sure that whatever you need when you have a terminal illness is supplied to you and delivered directly to your door. In addition to medicines, there are medical products (such as hospital beds, oxygen, wheelchairs, and walkers), and medical supplies (such as skin creams, latex gloves, and bedpans).
• Pain and symptom management – The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of life by reducing the pain and symptoms a person may experience during an illness. This can be achieved through medicine and therapy.
• Emotional and spiritual support for patient and family – Upon request, counselors and chaplains are available to assist you in your time of need. A bereavement support program could be provided to the patient and to their family before and after they pass away.

What are the Disadvantages of Hospice Care

• Must forgo curative treatment – Aggressive treatment may cause symptoms which may potentially have an adverse effect of a patient’s quality of life. In a way, this goes against everything hospice care is about, which is providing comfort. It is, therefore, necessary for the patient to give up on continuing curative treatment.
• Caregiver is not provided – Families who are caring for a loved one can be affected by the stress of caregiving as well. The fact that it is not provided means that it will either have to be done by the family member or by a private caregiver. If neither of these are available, then a nursing home is the next best option to receive care from.

Conclusion

The disadvantages and advantages of hospice care vary from person to person. You may or may not choose hospice care as a solution for your situation as it may or may not be what you need. I believe that being prepared for a loved one is always beneficial, and we should plan ahead for them as much as possible. If you are considering hospice services, please call our hospice office at (747) 755-5181.