Hospice care is most often provided within a patient’s residence, but that’s not the only option. Many patients with chronic, life-limiting conditions live in nursing homes — and hospice care can be provided there as well. In fact, many hospice care providers have contracts with nursing homes that help them work together to provide high-quality care.
Below is a bit of information about how hospice care providers and nursing homes work together, and what you can expect from the experience.
How Does Hospice Work in Nursing Homes?
The most important thing to know about hospice and nursing homes is that, while the two are separate entities, they’re not mutually exclusive when it comes to a patient’s care plan. You don’t need to make the decision between one or the other. Instead, hospice and nursing homes can work together to provide amazing care for your loved one.
Within a nursing home, hospice is there as an extra layer of specialized support. The hospice care team is full of experts in chronic symptom management and comfort care. They put together an individualized care plan based on the patient’s unique needs, then carry out the services within that plan. Their main goals are to keep the patient comfortable and to reduce hospitalizations.
Some hospice providers will also offer some services that nursing homes don’t offer. Things like counseling, spiritual care, and volunteer services are additional benefits hospice care providers can help with when nursing homes can’t.
Roles & Responsibilities: Nursing Home Staff vs. Hospice Care Team
So what’s the actual breakdown between nursing home staff tasks and hospice care team tasks?
Nursing Home Staff
In general, nursing home staff are experienced in what we call “custodial care.” This includes help with everyday things like:
- Eating
- Bathing
- Toileting
- Exercise/movement
- Games & activities
These are all incredibly important in the effort to maintain patient health, safety, and quality of life. However, patients with chronic, life-limiting conditions often need a little more support — which is where the hospice care team comes in.
Hospice Care Team
The hospice care team has experience with comprehensive chronic symptom management, comfort care, and helping patients and families navigate difficult times. Therefore, they’re typically responsible for more specialized forms of care like:
- Nurse visits
- Consultations with a hospice physician who specializes in quality-of-life care
- Prescription medications and durable medical equipment for symptom management
- Spiritual and/or emotional support (for both patients and their families)
- Communication with and education for nursing home staff regarding a patient’s condition, symptoms, and/or medication
But, again, while the responsibilities of nursing home staff and the hospice care team may differ, they both work closely together. They keep in constant communication to report any changes in the patient’s condition and changes in the patient’s care plan.
Does Medicare Cover Hospice Care in Nursing Homes?
Yes, Medicare still covers 100% of the costs associated with the hospice benefit, even when care is provided in a nursing home. This includes costs for things like:
- Medical, nursing, social work, and volunteer services
- Spiritual care and grief counseling for patients and families
- Prescription medications for pain management (with no more than $5 copay for each)
- Durable medical equipment
- Any other form of care that a patient’s doctor or hospice physician deems necessary
It’s important to note that Medicare does not cover the cost of room and board in any healthcare facility. There are no changes in cost for living within a nursing home.
Get Quality-of-Life Care Wherever You Are With West Michigan Hospice
Hospice can be (and often is) provided within nursing homes. If your loved one calls a nursing home “home” and is eligible for hospice services, feel free to reach out and we can discuss more about how the two can work together to provide the best level of care possible. Give us a call at (616) 258-2680 or contact us online.