How to Choose Between Home and Hospice Palliative Care

Deciding on the best setting for palliative care is a significant step for individuals with a life-limiting illness and their families. The primary goal of this type of care is to improve quality of life by managing symptoms and providing comfort and support. The choice between receiving this care at home or in a hospice often depends on personal wishes, medical needs, and the level of support available.

Palliative care offers a holistic approach, addressing physical, emotional, and practical needs. It is not just for the final days of life and can be introduced at any stage of a serious illness to help a person live as well as possible. Recognizing what each environment can offer is the first step toward making a decision that feels right for everyone involved.

Recognizing Palliative Care Needs

Palliative care is specialized support for people living with a serious illness. Its main purpose is to provide relief from symptoms like pain, fatigue, and anxiety. This care can be offered alongside treatments intended to cure or slow an illness. A team of professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other specialists, works together to offer an extra layer of support.

This approach focuses on the whole person, not just their illness. It includes emotional, social, and spiritual support for both the individual and their family. The aim is to ensure comfort, preserve dignity, and help people maintain their independence for as long as possible. Support is available in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and at home.

Palliative Care at Home

Many people prefer to receive care in the familiar surroundings of their own home. Being in a comfortable environment, close to family, pets, and personal belongings can provide a great sense of peace and normalcy. Home-based palliative care makes this possible by bringing services directly to the person.

A community-based palliative care team, which may include nurses and healthcare assistants, can make regular visits. They help manage medications, control symptoms, and provide personal care. This arrangement allows the individual to remain in their own environment while receiving professional medical support. It also helps reduce trips to the hospital.

• The home can be adapted to meet changing health needs.
• Family and friends can be more involved in day-to-day support.
• It allows for greater flexibility and independence.
• Professional homecare services can provide specialized support and respite for family.

Care in a Hospice Setting

A hospice is a dedicated place for providing specialist palliative care. These facilities are designed to be warm and welcoming, offering a peaceful alternative to a hospital. Hospice care is not just about the end of life; many people are admitted for a short time to manage complex symptoms before returning home.

The main benefit of a hospice is the presence of a 24/7 specialist team. This provides continuous medical supervision and immediate access to pain and symptom management. Hospices also offer a wide range of support for families, including counselling and bereavement care.

• Round-the-clock medical and nursing care from a specialist team.
• A purpose-built environment with specialized equipment.
• Access to therapies like physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
• Emotional and spiritual support for the individual and their loved ones.

A Practical Scenario: Making the Choice

Consider an individual whose illness is progressing. Initially, palliative care at home works well, with support from family and a visiting nurse. They are comfortable and their symptoms are well-managed. This allows them to spend valuable time with loved ones in a familiar setting.

Over time, their pain becomes more complex and difficult to control at home. The family, despite their best efforts, feels increasing strain. After discussions with their GP and palliative team, a short stay in a hospice is arranged. In the hospice, the specialist team adjusts medications and brings the person’s pain under control. This break also gives the family much-needed respite. Once the symptoms are stable, the individual can return home with a revized care plan.

Making an Informed Decision

The decision between home and hospice care is deeply personal and can change as an illness progresses. It is important to have open conversations with healthcare professionals, such as a GP or public health nurse. They can explain the available services and what might be most suitable.

Discussing wishes and preferences with the person receiving care is essential to ensure their needs are at the centre of any plan. Thinking about these matters ahead of time can help reduce stress for everyone. Exploring all available home and hospice palliative care choices helps ensure the final decision supports comfort and dignity. Both home and hospice care aim to provide the best possible quality of life. The right choice is the one that best fits the needs of the individual and provides support for their family.