By now you’ve seen all the times we’ve said “hospice and palliative care can help improve quality of life” or “hospice and palliative care helps keep patients where they want to be- home.” How many times have you read that and wondered “where’s some research to back this up?”
Well, this is your lucky day! A study by the National Health and Aging Trends Study found that “older adults’ preference for place of death should be a central component of advance care planning, and the receipt of hospice care may be a key to achieving that preference.”
According to the CDC, around 80% of people in the US state that they would prefer to die in their own homes. However, approximately 60% pass away in hospitals and 20% pass in skilled nursing facilities. Think about this, when you are close to the end of your life, where would you rather be? Personally, I want to be home in a familiar environment with my pets and family; free of the sound of machines beeping and the hustle and bustle of hospitals and nursing homes.
The above-mentioned study also found patients with cognitive impairments who elected the Hospice Benefit under Medicare were 14.5x more likely to die at home than in a hospital and 3.4x more likely to die at home than in a nursing home! Patients without cognitive impairments were 6x more likely to die at home as opposed to a hospital and more than twice as likely to die at home rather than a nursing home.
Also, families of patients who passed away at home reported higher satisfaction with their loved one’s care in the home, as opposed to a lower satisfaction with their care in a hospital. By the way, did you know that St. Anthony’s Hospice consistently above the national average of hospices when it comes to the care of our patients?
“’In recent years, there has been a growing awareness in end-of-life care research that place of death may be an indicator of quality care,’ according to the study. ‘Interest in this relationship was largely prompted by the [fi]nding that, while older adults prefer to die at home, the majority of older Americans die in hospitals or nursing homes.’” (quoted from article below).
Having end of life conversations are always difficult. Nobody wants to think about either a loved one dying or themselves passing away. However, if you have your plans in place for what your wishes are, including when you prefer to be when you pass away, things are easier for you and your loved ones. Likely you already contribute to a 401k, so why not set other future plans up?
Always remember with hospice care, there is always more to be done! More compassion. More quality of life. More time with your loved one where they are happiest- home. Hospice care treats the patient, rather than the disease. This means the patient’s quality of life is greatly improved and there is tremendous help for the caregiver. Hospice is about keeping the dignity of our patients, even after death. Hospice is support and help for the patient, caregiver, and family. Hospice is comfort for the patient in all definitions of the word.
If you or a loved one is in need of the care hospice or palliative care provides to keep you at home, please call us at (270) 826-2326 or make a referral here.
