Hospice care is a form of care for anyone facing a terminal illness, especially when the person only has a few months to live. The care aims to ensure people live their last days comfortably while having access to emotional support and quality pain management. However, matters relating to end-of-life issues are rarely discussed; it is important to ensure your loved ones spend their last days in comfort.
This is why people often debate about the best hospice care, whether in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities in Florida. These are some differences to determine which is best for your loved ones:
Advantages of Hospice Care in Skilled Nursing
Hospice care has different advantages that will complement care received at skilled nursing centers. Most especially, your loved ones will enjoy hospice care regarding end-of-life issues. Team members will educate you and your loved ones regarding the comfort measures for aging adults. These are some of the advantages:
- Pain and Symptom management: Hospice services provide pain and symptom management to help your loved ones live comfortably. This is so important because pain and discomfort increase as end-of-life draws nearer.
- Emotional and Spiritual Support
- Grief and bereavement services
- Care planning
- Financial planning
- Client and families connection
Is There a Medicare Coverage for Hospice Care in Skilled Nursing?
Medicare can offer coverage for hospice care in skilled nursing, provided the center has a contractual agreement with a Medicare-certified hospice. However, the hospice will not cover room and board, so your loved ones must cover the cost.
However, if your loved ones have needs unrelated to end-of-life illness and are qualified for Medicare coverage, it will cover room and board. For example, if your loved ones have a terminal illness but have injuries unrelated to the illness, Medicare can cover your stay. It will cover the cost of daily physical therapy you need for your treatment.
Advantages of Hospice Care in Assisted Living Communities
Hospice care in assisted living communities also has its benefits, as it will offer physical and emotional support for your loved ones. The hospice team will ensure your loved ones are comfortable in their final days, weeks, or months.
In addition, they help you through the process of deciding whether your loved ones need end-of-life care. These end-of-life services will ensure your loved ones spend their last days happy. Hospice care services include:
- Pain relief and symptom management
- Medication management and schedules
- Therapies (Physical and occupational)
- Doctors and nurses
- Spiritual and emotional support
Is There Medicare Coverage for Hospice Care in Assisted Living?
Some treatments include comfort care to ease pain and discomfort related to end-of-life. Unlike hospice care in skilled nursing that comes with conditions, Hospice care at assisted living communities is covered by Medicare. Aside from Medicare, it is also covered by many private health insurance plans.
In addition, Medicare will cover medications, therapies, care teams, and equipment for 90 days, followed by 60 days. Before the care period begins, a doctor must check whether the patient has more or fewer days to live.
