November is Home Health & Hospice Month: End-of-Life Care for Your Loved Ones

posted by Chelsea Reed on Tuesday, November 16, 2021

November is Home Health and Hospice Month. A common question often asked is, “What is the difference between home health and hospice?” Let’s start with the basics:

The goal of home health care is to improve the quality of life for patients. Home health care provides skilled nursing, home health aides, and therapies to a patient’s home. In addition to these services, home health care teaches families how to care for their loved ones. If someone needs assistance in their home, has in-home safety concerns, or transitioning home from a medical facility, home health is a great option.

• Nursing Services: medication management, assistance with the transition from hospital to home, dressing and wound care, IV and injections, post-operative care, diabetic education, and individualized care plans.
• Home Health Aide Services: personal care, bathing, housekeeping, and shopping.
• Therapy Services: physical, occupational, and speech provided in the home for safety and convenience. 

The goal of hospice is to provide support for patients and their loved ones on their end-of-life journey. Hospice services are readily available to anyone who, if determined by a physician, is predicted to have a life expectancy of six months or less, if the disease were to run its natural course. These services can be provided in a patient’s home, long-term care facilities, assisted living centers, and the hospital. The hospice care team is comprised of skilled nurses, physicians, hospice aides, social worker, pharmacists, volunteers, pastoral services, and alternative therapies, such as music or massage. Our staff work to ease symptoms and support the whole person- mind, body, and spirit.

• Hospice Medical Director Services: guide plan of care for patients, including medications and services.
• Nursing Services: medication and equipment management, symptom control, education, caregiver support.
• Home Health Aide Services: personal care, bathing, housekeeping
• Social Work Services: emotional support for patient and family, paperwork assistance, referrals
• Volunteer Services: trained to provide support and caregiver relief to families
• Chaplain Services: spiritual support at end of life
• Therapy Services: massage therapy and music therapy

If you have questions about home health and hospice, please contact Avera@Home of Spencer Hospital or your physician. We would be happy to provide more information about our services and what is right for you. Avera@Home of Spencer Hospital works with Medicare, Medicaid, most insurance, private pay, and other payor sources.

Avera@Home of Spencer Hospital - 712-264-6380