When a patient with a life-limiting illness reaches the end of their journey, hospice care is there to provide comfort and support to both the patient and their family. Hospice care helps promote quality of life by relieving pain, providing emotional and spiritual support, and helping guide families through difficult decisions during this emotionally charged time. There are two main types of hospice care: inpatient and outpatient.
What is Inpatient Hospice Care?
Inpatient hospice care is a type of hospice care that involves the patient being admitted into a hospital in order to receive around-the-clock medical treatment and symptom management. The goal of this type of care is to help the patient improve their quality of life during their final days, weeks, or months. It is often used for those who are in the very late stages of a terminal illness and require more specialized care.
What is Outpatient Hospice Care?
Outpatient hospice care is a type of hospice care that involves the patient receiving medical treatment and symptom management from their own home or an outside location. This type of care is focused on increasing the patient’s comfort, while also providing emotional support for both the patient and their family. This type of care is usually used for those who are in the later stages of a terminal illness and do not require 24-hour medical attention.
Benefits of Outpatient Hospice Care
Outpatient hospice care has many advantages. It allows the patient to stay in their home or another familiar environment, surrounded by loved ones, giving them a sense of dignity and comfort. It also gives family members the opportunity to be present during the care process, allowing them to provide support and companionship. Lastly, outpatient hospice care can often be more cost-effective than inpatient care, as it requires only the services of professional hospice staff.
Who Qualifies for Outpatient Hospice Care?
Outpatient hospice care is available for any patient who has a life-limiting illness and is in the later stages of their illness. In order to qualify for in-home hospice care, the patient must have a prognosis of six months or less if their condition follows its natural course. Additionally, they must be able to receive medical care in their own home or other outside location.
Choosing Inpatient or Outpatient Hospice Care
When deciding between inpatient or outpatient hospice care, it is important to consider the needs of both the patient and their family. The decision should be based on what will provide the best quality of life for everyone involved, as well as any financial considerations that may come into play. If you are considering either type of hospice care for a loved one, it is important to speak with a hospice care team who can help you make the best decision for your unique situation.
Outpatient Hospice Care in Los Angeles with Unique Hospice
Unique Hospice provides personalized outpatient hospice care in Los Angeles, tailored to the needs of each individual patient and their family. Our team of professionals is dedicated to providing compassionate and supportive care that is both physically and emotionally comforting. We understand that no two patients or families are alike, so our goal is to provide individualized care for every patient we serve. If you or a loved one are in need of hospice care, contact Unique Hospice online or call (626) 335-7077 for more information about our services and how we can help.
