Home health care utilization during the final three years of a patient’s life has been found to be correlated with a higher probability of hospice care utilization towards the end of life, as per a study conducted by Rutgers Health.
In a study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine, researchers analyzed the home health care and hospice care patterns of over 2 million individuals.
Olga Jarrín, the senior author of the study and the Hunterdon Professor of Nursing Research at the Rutgers School of Nursing, highlighted the dual benefits of hospice care, emphasizing its role in not only aiding patients but also providing essential resources and assistance to family caregivers in managing the various challenges associated with caring for a loved one during the end-of-life phase.
By leveraging Medicare data, the researchers observed that individuals who received home health care prior to their final year had a higher likelihood of opting for hospice care compared to those who had not received such care. This connection underscores the advantages of receiving end-of-life support within the familiar setting of one’s home.
Hyosin (Dawn) Kim, the research assistant professor at Oregon State University and the primary author of the study, emphasized that personalized care, reduced hospitalizations, increased family involvement, and enhanced symptom management are among the benefits of home-based care for individuals with terminal illnesses and their families.
With the aging population on the rise, the study underscores the growing demand for additional healthcare resources and specialized training in end-of-life care.
Home health care services encompass a range of offerings such as skilled nursing, therapy, and aide services aimed at preserving functionality and mitigating health deterioration. On the other hand, hospice care, tailored for individuals with a life expectancy of six months or less, focuses on enhancing quality of life, minimizing hospital visits, and providing comfort and support. Both services afford patients the option of receiving personalized care within their home environment.
Furthermore, researchers suggest that home-based care fosters increased family involvement in the caregiving process.
The study’s co-authors include Paul Duberstein from the Rutgers School of Public Health, Haiqun Lin from the Rutgers School of Nursing, Bei Wu from New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, and Anum Zafar from the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research.
For more details, refer to the research article by Hyosin (Dawn) Kim et al, titled “Home Health Care and Hospice Use Among Medicare Beneficiaries With and Without a Diagnosis of Dementia,” published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine in 2024.
Source: Home health care linked to increased hospice use at end-of-life, study reveals (2024, February 21)
Retrieved on 21 February 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-02-home-health-linked-hospice-life.html