Home Health Care Cost vs Hospital
Written by:
Jeffrey Grossman
Published:
January 30, 2020
How does home health care cost compare to the pricey medical bills for a loved one’s end of life care in a hospital? Find out here.
Every year, approximately 4.5 million people throughout the U.S. require long-term or end of life care. Do you have a loved one in need of this type of care? Are you struggling to figure out hospital vs home health care cost and benefits?One of the hardest decisions to make during this process is deciding whether to invest in a hospital stay, in home care, or alternative home health care options.Read on to learn more about end of life care options and how life care at home compares to that of a hospital setting. You'll also learn about the benefits of in home care that help your loved one feel their best while still getting access to the support they need.
The Reality of Home Care vs Hospital Costs
The average home health care cost varies depending on the provider you choose. In most cases, though, in home care is significantly more affordable than seeking hospital care. The health system is primarily built to solve problems, not to support people, and it shows in both the price and service it provides.Research shows that acute care for an in-home patient can cost, on average, 52 percent less than care in a hospital setting. Real-life experiences have shown even more significant savings. For example, one family spent nearly $20,000 for their father to spend just 12 hours of care in a hospital. Contrastly, they went on to spend a mere $6,093 for over 200 hours of in-home care.There are many reasons why home health care is more cost-effective alternative than a hospital or nursing facility, including:
Reduced need for rehospitalization
Shorter treatment times
Reduced need for expensive, unnecessary testing
Reduced exposure to illnesses that can worsen an aging adult’s condition
All of these can lead to more hospital bills and put a serious strain on a patient's — or their loved ones' — bank account.
7 Benefits of End of Life Care at Home
Patients deserve to have a choice in end of life care because at the end of the day, it’s about making the patient as comfortable as they can be. In many cases, in home caregivers provide equivalent to or better care than hospitals. Additionally, care at home avoids unnecessary and costly procedures. The benefits of home health care and end of life care at home extend far beyond saving money, too. Consider the additional benefits of home care for your loved one, which are invaluable.
1. Increased Comfort at Home
It's almost impossible for a hospital stay to be as comfortable as the experience of receiving care in your own home. Between machines beeping at all hours of the day and night, to nurses and doctors coming in regularly to check vital signs, patients hardly get the rest they need in hospitals.Two options for end of life care at home to support your loved one’s comfort are hospice and palliative care.
Hospice Care
Hospice care is not for those who are going through any form of treatment. When a loved one has reached a point where their disease or condition is incurable, hospice is the next step. Professional hospice care providers ensure your loved one spends their final days in peace by helping them manage symptoms and supporting their utmost comfort at home.
Palliative Care
Alternatives to hospice include palliative care, which is for those who are currently working towards recovery after a chronic diagnosis. If a patient is going through treatment and needs additional, non-medical support (i.e., mental, emotional, physical) palliative care is a great at home care option.
2. More Quality Time with Loved Ones
Home health care also makes it easier for patients to spend quality time with their loved ones. Family members and friends don't have to cram themselves into a small hospital room. Instead, they can all gather together and enjoy quality time at home without having to worry about abiding by any hospital rules.
3. Support ADLs
Professional in home caregivers can help to support activities of daily living (or ADLs) plus they have prior medical training, being either a certified nurse assistant or registered nurses (RN).Caregivers ensure patients have assistance handling everyday tasks that they may not be able to perform anymore such as cleaning, cooking, or grooming. They can also provide medication reminders and assist with basic healthcare monitoring (checking blood pressure, temperature, blood sugar, etc.).
4. Comprehensive, Personalized Care
Even in the best hospitals, the level of personalization a patient receives is quite limited. Personalized, home care services help a patient enjoy a higher quality of life than they would otherwise receive in traditional inpatient care settings.Doctors and nurses are busy attending to lots of people at once, so it's hard for them to give your loved one the individualized care they deserve. When you work with a home care agency, it's much easier for your loved one to get one-on-one attention. Professional caregivers help with specific needs and can even administer around the clock care.
5. Hospital-Level Care
Some people are under the impression that home health care is not as comprehensive or of the same quality as care from a hospital. In reality, an RN caregiver can provide hospital at home type services without the sterile setting—and with greater compassion.You won't have to worry about your loved one getting substandard treatment as long as you're working with a premium home care agency. Professional caregivers are trained and experienced; providing the best care in the best place, home.
6. Companionship
In home caregivers develop a relationship with their patients and help them feel truly seen and heard. Companionship is an invaluable benefit to in home caregiving that can’t be provided in a hospital setting. The relational aspect of home care significantly improves the quality of care, and the patient’s life, leading to better long-term outcomes.
7. R&R for Caregivers
Finally, home health care allows primary caregivers, like family members, to take a much-needed and well-deserved break from their daily responsibilities. Consider looking into respite care for caregivers even if it’s just for a day.Professional caregivers offer practical and relational support so your loved one doesn't feel alone while you take time to work, care for your children, run errands, or simply get uninterrupted sleep. You can rest easy knowing your loved one has all the care they need even when you aren't able to physically be there with them.
Contact Commonwise for Home Health Care Today
In general, the cost of home health care is much lower than the cost of care in a hospital. Now that you know more about the cost savings, and additional benefits that in home caregiving has to offer, are you interested in choosing it for your loved one? If they are located in the Charlottesville, VA, Charleston, SC, or Richmond, VA areas, our care team here at Commonwise Home Care is ready to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to start making home health care arrangements. We are available 24 hours a day to answer your call: 434.202.8565.