Home Care with Hospice Support
While seniors may want to live their final years in their own home, it may not be fully possible without the help of nurses and a dedicated medical team. Comfort Home Care collaborates with home health companies and hospice nurses to help make seniors comfortable and safe in their own homes. Depending on the level of assistance needed, our caregivers can work around and with other companies to make sure your family member is cared for.
Understanding Home Health, Hospice, and In-Home Care
All caregivers and nurses have similar responsibilities, but there are distinctions between home health, hospice, and in-home caregivers. Let’s look at these differences and how they can impact your seniors’ care.
Home health nurses provide medical care for the seniors in their homes. They help administer medication, educate patients and family about long-term care, aid in recovery, and provide wound care. They are often used by patients who don’t require around-the-clock care in a hospital but could benefit from someone with a medical background. Home health is provided on a short-term basis.
Hospice nurses are trained in end-of-life care for terminally ill patients. They provide comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatment for patients. Hospice is often used for patients who have been given a life expectancy of 6 months or less. They help with symptom management, often with steroids or stronger medication, emotional support, bedside and bathroom care, and documentation of the patient’s physical state.
In-home caregivers don’t have an extensive medical background, but can help provide daily support. Caregivers can help maintain the home, the patient’s mental health, and provide peace of mind for family members. In-home caregivers can help support patients in rehab exercises, spend the day with them when other nurses are unavailable, or create meal plans for recovering patients.
How Our Caregivers Work with Hospice and Medical Teams
Comfort Home Care is proud to work with many different people in our line of work. Working with hospice or home health nurses is important to us as it helps the patient feel more secure and comfortable. Our caregivers can focus on more daily activities or cleaning tasks while a home health nurse is working in the home with the patient’s physical needs. Our caregivers can also help share the load with nurses who have multiple patients to attend to. Home health nurses may be able to provide bathing or feeding assistance, but our caregivers can also take these tasks off their plate, saving their clinical time for more specific needs.
Families who have been providing in-home care up to this point can also benefit from hiring multiple professionals to help lessen the emotional load of caring for an aging family member. Comfort Home Care can help make this life transition less of a burden, helping you feel supported throughout the process.
Improving Comfort and Quality of Life at Home
Collaborating with home health and hospice agencies will help patients receive comprehensive and well-coordinated care. Comfort Home Care works closely with all providers to help maximize health, recovery, or end-of-life care. No matter what stage the patient is in, we can help during every stage and do it with a smile. Having the skills of all different professionals will help to maximize outcomes and provide you with seamless support, providing safety and peace of mind. Keeping your loved one safe and healthy can be made easier with more professional help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I know which healthcare provider I need?
If a patient has a terminal illness or is losing function of their body, you can benefit from hospice nurses. Others recovering from surgery, who have high mobility or just need emotional support, can benefit from home health and in-home caregivers.
Can challenges arise during collaborative efforts?
Yes, communication barriers and education discrepancies can make it difficult for hospice, home health, and caregivers to all work together. However, our team is well-trained to communicate clearly and learn from each other during collaborative efforts. We will address challenges or problems outside of the patient’s home to keep things calm and professional. If our caregiver or a nurse is not working well together, we may provide a different employee going forward.
Extra Support When It Matters Most
When a loved one is receiving hospice or home health care, having additional support can make a meaningful difference. Comfort Home Care provides in-home assistance that works alongside medical teams to help with daily care, comfort, and companionship. We serve families throughout Southeast Idaho, including Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Blackfoot. Call (208) 681-5533 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can support your family.