[Mom MD]

Hospice saves Medicare a great deal of money. It allows us to care for terminal patients in their home setting without several admissions to the hospital for pain or symptom control. Hospice care is a marvous thing in the right patient. Once we stop aggressive care and focus on symptom control patients blossom and often feel much better. Patients and families are given the gift of pleasant time at home rather than spending the last days/weeks with their loved ones sitting in a hospital

[Gaffer]

So, if you are in the profession, can you tell me the percentage of costs and usage with respect to ‘in home’ and ‘in facility’ categories?

[cva66snipe]

Medical science allowed my dad to live 7 more years beyond initial prognoses of 3 years. Even then they told him at his age the cancer would not likely take him but rather something else. He was too healthy though and the cancer won. When it came time for Hospice he was ready. Months of Chemo mixed with pain killers robbed him of even a rational thought.

Personally I believe if a person at home {family member} has the disposition to be a caregiver at home care is cheaper, healthier, and safer.

Medicare wise the number of Home Health visits is limited I think to a dozen a year whereas Hospice is unlimited. Cost of Home Health vs Nursing Home care is a no brainer. Home Health is a fraction of the cost. Still some things make it an impossibility like Dementia. It's not really wise or safe to do home care unless you have 24/7 on sight wide awake help.