Medical Care at the Hospital and Medical care at Home

Medical care at Home Vs. Medical Care at the Hospital

Around 4.5 million people in the United States require end-of-life or long-term care annually. Also, the United States has, in a pretty big way, changed healthcare delivery perspectives within the last few years (Bentur, 13). Though there are significant changes in how healthcare payments are made, where the healthcare is delivered has equally undergone substantial changes as more care continues to shift to various outpatient settings (Foust et al. 24). Also, elderly citizens cannot increasingly perform primary activities by themselves due to medical conditions or advanced age (Balatbat, Celynne, et al. 5). As a result, they need extra care to continue benefiting their quality of life. They, therefore, need professional care providers to give necessary care. The place of care, which can be Hospital or home-based, chiefly determines which options are best for the loved one. Nonetheless, according to this paper, home-based care is more convenient and conducive than hospital-based care.

This is because home care has several positives, with the most significant benefit being that loved ones are kept within a familiar environment, reducing stress and anxiety levels. Moreover, the family members have unlimited time for visitation minus time restraint, as usually in the case of hospital care, where one can only see their loved ones during visiting hours (Bentur, 5). In-home care, one only needs to find the services of a professional care agency to establish an environment similar to that of a nursing facility at home (Balatbat, Celynne, et al. 23). In such situations, patients will continue to stay at home and enjoy the amenities and comforts they are conversant with (Foust et al. 26). Thus, providing the most desirable option for patients who do not require 24/7 care. One can prepare a plan where a professional caregiver or registered nurse can attend to the patients at particular intervals or whenever needed. The companion can help in transportation, bathing, and meal preparation tasks. People with long-term insurance policies will not pay out of pocket.

Nevertheless, critics of home care also claim that, in some cases, palliative home care cannot be under insurance coverage. Therefore, one may pay out of pocket directly or shift to private insurance. In addition, whether the older adult is staying on their own or with family members, some adjustments must be made at home to accommodate better their needs totaling to more costs.

Besides, hospital care is credited to health professionals who can always administer timely treatment whenever health deteriorates. More assistance in service provisions like bathing, cleaning, walking, meals, and dressing are always available (Foust et al. 28). Further, patients with a medical emergency or severe illness will always need 24-hour hospital care as a last resort. For example, a patient who has had an attack may have to be hospitalized for a short term until their condition improves (Bentur, 17). People who require much care are also advised to seek care from a hospital rather than home care.

However, senior home care services also enable loved ones to experience the best based on their sickness and need level. It allows family and friends to be around to give necessary socialization and moral support to guarantee life enjoyment (Balatbat, Celynne, et al. 15). Besides, through the appropriate form of support from a reputable care service agency, the loved one would continue to enjoy their dignity and independence for their home comfort.

Besides, the average cost of home health care is relatively cheaper depending on the provider chosen. In several instances, home care is more affordable than seeking hospital care. Health systems are meant to solve challenges, not to give support, as in the service it provides and price (Foust et al. 24). Studies have shown that it can cost an in-home patient 52 percent less for acute care compared to seeking a similar service from the hospital setting. Further, real-life experiences have also indicated substantial savings. For instance, a family spent almost $25000 for their father within 11 hours in hospital care (Balatbat, Celynne, et al. 51). Later, they only spent $ 5900 for over 210 hours while in-home care.

Subsequently, patients should be allowed to choose end-life care since the ultimate aim is to make the patient as comfortable and happy as possible. Studies have, in most cases, found that home caregivers provide better care than hospitals. Home care does not involve costly and unnecessary procedures (Bentur, 37). The merits of end-life care and home health care go far beyond saving money.