Home Health Decision Guide

The Focus

Home health care is skilled medical care provided in your home by licensed professionals, helping patients recover from illness, injury, or surgery while maintaining independence.

The Philosophy

Rather than trying to cure an illness, home health care emphasizes quality of life and dignity during a patient's final months. It's not about giving up—it's about shifting focus from fighting disease to living fully.

Life expectancy of 6 months or less

A doctor has indicated this prognosis based on the patient's condition and trajectory. This is the primary medical criterion for Medicare/agency eligibility. The 6-month estimate doesn't need to be exact—it's a physician's medical judgment about whether the patient is likely to decline.

Patient has declined curative treatment or reached natural endpoint

The patient has chosen to focus on comfort rather than pursuing aggressive medical interventions. Or curative options have been exhausted and disease continues to progress despite treatment.

Focus shifted to comfort and quality of life

The primary goal is now managing symptoms and maintaining dignity, not extending survival. The patient and family understand and accept this shift in care philosophy.

Patient and family understand agency goals

Everyone is aligned on what home health care provides and what the expectations are. Honest conversations about prognosis, goals, and what agency will and won't do are essential.

Physical and/or functional decline is evident

Signs include declining appetite, increased weakness, difficulty with activities of daily living, mental changes, or recurrent hospitalization. These indicate the disease is progressing.

Myth: Home health is only for the elderly

Home health care benefits patients of all ages recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions, or needing rehabilitation services.

Myth: Home health means you're too sick to function

When used appropriately, agency doesn't shorten life. The focus on comfort may actually help patients live more peacefully.

Myth: Home health is only for serious conditions

Home health is appropriate for many situations including post-surgery recovery, wound care, medication management, and chronic disease management.

Myth: Home health is very expensive

Medicare and most insurance plans cover home health care. Out-of-pocket costs are typically minimal.

Expert Symptom Management

Specialized care team trained in pain and symptom control with 24/7 availability. Medications and treatments are adjusted as needed to keep the patient comfortable. Most patients report better pain control in agency than in hospital settings.

Family Support & Respite Care

Counseling, respite care (short-term inpatient stays), and grief support for entire family throughout and after care. Family caregivers get professional support and relief from round-the-clock caregiving demands.

Care in Your Preferred Location

Most home health care happens at home, but can also be in a facility, nursing home, or inpatient agency setting based on patient needs and preferences. Flexibility allows care setting to change if circumstances shift.

Spiritual & Emotional Support

Chaplains and counselors to support personal values, beliefs, and end-of-life goals. Spiritual care is offered across religious traditions and to secular patients, addressing meaning-making and existential concerns.

Comprehensive Care from an Interdisciplinary Team

One care team coordinates across doctors, nurses, home health aides, social workers, and chaplains. This prevents fragmented care and ensures holistic attention to patient and family needs.

Bereavement Support After Death

Most agencies provide grief counseling and support groups for 12-13 months after the patient's death. This helps families process loss and begin healing in the months following death.

Choose the Right Time and Place

Find a quiet, private moment when everyone is calm and there are no distractions.

Listen First

Ask about your loved one's fears, wishes, and values about end-of-life care before sharing information.

Share Information Gently

Explain agency as a choice focused on comfort and quality of life, not as giving up.

Involve the Doctor

Ask the doctor about agency as an option and what they recommend for your loved one's situation.

Take Time to Decide

There's no need to rush. It's okay to take time to think about the decision with family.

Talk with your doctor

Discuss your loved one's condition, prognosis, and whether agency is appropriate for their situation.

Get an agency referral

Your doctor can refer you to an agency provider, or you can explore options yourself.

Interview providers

Use our provider comparison framework to evaluate options and compare them side-by-side.

Learn about costs

Check out our cost and insurance guide to understand coverage and financial implications.

Make your decision

Take time with family to make the right choice for your situation. There's no rush.