{"id":1918,"date":"2018-05-21T08:00:56","date_gmt":"2018-05-21T13:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aparadiseforparents.com\/?p=1918"},"modified":"2024-04-08T15:15:08","modified_gmt":"2024-04-08T22:15:08","slug":"assisted-living-vs-hospice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aparadiseforparents.com\/assisted-living-vs-hospice\/","title":{"rendered":"Assisted Living vs Hospice – How They Work Together"},"content":{"rendered":"

When a senior in an assisted living facility\u2019s health declines, it\u2019s common to assume that they\u00a0must move into a nursing home or a \u2018hospice\u2019 facility. However, this isn\u2019t always the case. Many patients with a terminal illness would rather pass away\u00a0in the comforts of their own home rather than in a nursing facility. And many of these seniors consider assisted living facilities as their home. Many families have lots of options when it comes to assisted living vs hospice care.<\/p>\n

A survey shows that over one million seniors in the United States<\/a> reside in assisted living facilities. For several years, these seniors have bonded and formed lasting relationships with fellow residents and staff.<\/p>\n

The majority of assisted living facilities do not have an in-house hospice unit. Many of them work together with community-based hospice companies.\u00a0 Their residents are provided with end-of-life services when needed. One of the biggest issues families worry about when making the assisted living vs hospice decision is moving their loved one out of assisted living. We work with a lot of hospice companies in our assisted living and memory care<\/a> homes. We’ve found there is no reason to move someone out of assisted living<\/a> just because they go on hospice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Assisted Living vs Hospice Care<\/h2>\n

Hospice care provides ‘palliative’ or comfort care \u2013 a type of care that aims to alleviate the pain and discomfort. Hospice is good when the patient\u2019s illness is no longer suitable for treatment. The cost of hospice care is covered by Medicare and other private health insurance plans. There are many myths about Hospice, and we dispel some of them here.<\/p>\n

If you think hospice care is all about providing medications, such as painkillers and sedatives, think again. It is so much more than just managing medication. Hospice care ensures that your loved one will continue to maintain a high quality of life as much as possible. The hospice team educates the senior\u2019s caregivers on how to properly take care of the patient. It also\u00a0provides both spiritual and emotional counseling and support to the senior and his\/her loved ones. The main goal of hospice care is to give the senior an honorable and comfortable exit in life.<\/p>\n

The most common misconception about hospice care is that it is a physical place where seniors go. While it\u2019s true that there are hospice facilities, there\u00a0are only a handful of them in any metro area. The hospice team is usually the one who visits the senior in their own home \u2013 wherever that may be. For seniors residing in assisted living, the assisted living building is their home. When considering having your loved one move back home for hospice care, make sure you understand that the hospice company will only be there 2-3 days per week. The hospice company expects the family to take care of the person the rest of the time. That means hiring another caregiver or having the family members provide the care. That’s why when you consider assisted living vs hospice care, it makes a lot of sense to leave the family member in assisted living. They can receive 24\/7 care in a familiar environment while hospice provides their great service.<\/p>\n

Check Your Local Laws<\/h2>\n

Most assisted living communities in the US are now able to provide hospice care to their residents during their stay in the community. The assisted living and hospice companies work together. They can fully enjoy the benefits of hospice care without having to transfer from one senior community to the other. However, the law in Idaho, Montana, Mississippi, and North Dakota states hospice care is separate from assisted living. Arizona allows Hospice care in any assisted living home such as ours.<\/p>\n

Does the Resident need More Care?<\/h2>\n

Assisted living communities cannot fully guarantee that they are able to accommodate the senior up until their last days. It is common for terminally ill seniors to require a more complex medical care that an assisted living cannot provide. They may need to be moved to a nursing home or hospital. The level of care is important to think about when you consider assisted living vs hospice.<\/p>\n

It has been said that when medicine can no longer provide a cure, assisted living and hospice\u00a0team up to provide comfort, care, and assistance.\u00a0\u00a0The services will help your elderly loved one to maintain the best quality of life possible for them.\u00a0The assisted living\u00a0and\u00a0hospice\u00a0staff work together\u00a0to create and plan the appropriate care for your loved one.<\/p>\n

Another common misconception regarding hospice care is that it hastens death. However, studies show<\/a> that patients under hospice care very often live longer than other people who are not receiving care. There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding hospice, but in reality, it is a philosophy of care that only has your loved one\u2019s best interests in mind.<\/p>\n

Read: 5 Widespread Myths People Harbor About Hospice<\/a><\/p>\n

Assisted Living vs Hospice Facilities<\/h2>\n

An assisted living facility is a senior living community for individuals who need minimal assistance when it comes to daily living and care. It helps seniors to remain independent in a safe and healthy environment while providing them with the assistance they need.<\/p>\n

A lot of assisted living homes are advocates of the philosophy, \u2018aging in place\u2019. This means that the senior resident will receive care, one way or another, without having to leave the facility. Aging in place enables the residents to reside in their senior community of choice for as long as they want \u2013 from post-retirement and even to the end-of-life stage. This gives seniors a sense of security in their long-term care planning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Assisted Living and Hospice Care: Working Together<\/h2>\n

Since an assisted living community is primarily for seniors who require minimal assistance, are these facilities able to accommodate residents approaching the end-of-life stage?<\/p>\n

The Center for Excellence in Assisted Living<\/a> says that in most cases, hospice care is available. Besides, hospice care was initially designed to be an in-home service with only the clinicians present. As mentioned, many assisted living homes’ staff work with hospice agencies to determine the type and level of care needed by the patient.<\/p>\n

Hospice care providers visit seniors residing in assisted living homes who are terminally ill or at the end-of-life stage. The Assisted Living Federation of America<\/a> states that approximately one-third of seniors in assisted living communities receive end-of-life care within the community.<\/p>\n

When is hospice the right choice?<\/h2>\n

There are several factors caregivers or family members can look out for that indicate when hospice care is appropriate for your loved one. These include:<\/p>\n