Home health care is a vital service for older and disabled patients. Appropriate home care allows them to stay home longer. It delays the transition to a nursing home or other facility. Home based palliative care provides comfort and improves quality of life.

In this blog, we answer several important questions about palliative care services in the home:

• What is palliative care and how is it different from hospice care? 
• What is home based palliative care? 
• What is included in palliative care services in the home? 
• What are the benefits of receiving palliative care at home?  
• Who qualifies for in-home palliative care versus hospice care?  

Don’t forget to check out the Trualta library for more resources on palliative care, hospice, and other topics related to caregiving. Use this link to find out if you have free access. 

What Is Palliative Care? 

Palliative care is a specialized medical care. Patients receiving palliative care get symptom management, comfort, and support. They usually continue regular treatment for their condition or illness. Palliative care is separate but complements that treatment. 

Several palliative care providers make up a care team that plans and implements care. It includes doctors, specialists, nurses, home health aides, social workers, and other professionals. They can provide care in the patient’s home, in residential facilities, and in medical facilities. 

Is Palliative Care Different From Hospice Care? 

Misunderstandings about palliative and hospice care prevent many patients from getting beneficial care. Patients and families often falsely think they are the same thing. They think being referred to a palliative care program means they are dying. 

Hospice care is end-of-life care for patients with a terminal illness. It’s similar to palliative care in that it provides comfort care, support, and relief for symptoms rather than treating a disease. An important difference is that patients in hospice care typically have six months or less to live. Another difference is that patients in hospice care no longer receive curative treatment. Both palliative and hospice care can be delivered in the home. 

What Is Palliative Care At Home? 

Home based palliative care is delivered in the home where the patient lives. Members of the care team come to the home to provide treatments, manage care, and evaluate the patient. 

The purpose of home care is to keep patients at home. Without this care, they may need to go to an assisted living or nursing facility. They might also spend more time in doctor’s offices or even in the hospital. Home care delays moving out of the home and minimizes hospitalization. 

What Is Included In Home Palliative Care? 

Home care plans are highly individualized. The care team works closely with the patient, their doctors, and their families and caregivers to determine needs. They then develop a personalized care plan that changes with the patient’s needs. 

These are the services most typically included in home palliative care: 

• Symptom management. This is a big part of palliative care. Healthcare providers offer medications, therapy, and other strategies to relieve pain, nausea, fatigue, and more. 
• Emotional support. Being seriously ill is stressful and scary. Home health care teams provide emotional support to manage these feelings. 
• Mental health care. Depending on the patient’s needs, emotional support may include formal mental health treatments, like therapy. 
• Education and advocacy. Palliative care teams advocate for their patient’s health and wellness. They also educate patients and their families about their illness and the health care system. 
• Social support. Being sick can be very isolating. Palliative care may include a social element to reduce isolation and loneliness. 
• Spiritual care. For those who want it, palliative care includes guidance from spiritual or religious professionals. 
• Financial and legal guidance. Palliative care teams often include legal and financial experts. They educate patients and their families and help them make important decisions. 

What Are The Benefits Of Home Palliative Care? 

Palliative care services have proven benefits. When provided in the patient’s home, there are even more benefits. 

Improved Quality Of Life

Palliative care benefits patients by improving their quality of life. It helps them feel better both physically and emotionally. It can improve mobility and make it easier for patients to enjoy activities or socializing. It eases worries and stress associated with serious illness. 

More Time At Home & With Loved Ones

Providing palliative care at home allows patients to stay home longer. It delays moving to a residential facility. It reduces the need for hospitalization. With the right care, patients get more quality time in their homes and with their loved ones. 

Benefits For Caregivers

Home palliative care also benefits family caregivers. The palliative care team includes support for caregivers and family members. This might include respite care, emotional support, and help with practical matters like transportation. 

Families also benefit when their loved one is able to stay home. Palliative care in the home gives patients more quality time with their loved ones. 

Does My Loved One Qualify For Home Palliative Care?

Palliative care is for anyone with a serious illness at any stage who can benefit from it. Hospice care has stricter guidelines for when patients should receive it. These guidelines are related to hospice care services as end-of-life care. 

Home health care is a valuable service and beneficial type of medical care. If you have a loved one living with a serious illness, talk to their primary care doctor about the possibility of in-home palliative care. 

Use this link to find out if you have free access to additional Trualta resources on palliative care, caregiving, hospice, and more. 

References

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22850-palliative-care
2. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hospice-and-palliative-care/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care
3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22850-palliative-care
4. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-palliative-care-and-who-can-benefit-from-it-2019111118186