Nursing Home vs. Hospice

Seniors needing critical care have several choices. Two primary options are nursing home and hospice care. Both types provide care for those with terminal health conditions but nursing home care is provided in a hospital-like setting, while hospice is typically given in an individual’s home or with family. Due to the sensitive nature of these types of care, it can be difficult to choose which one is best suited for you or your loved one.

This guide discusses both types of care, including what they cover, the costs and who they are best suited for.

Aside from treatment, nursing homes may offer social and recreational activities, including games, parties, music, exercise and hobbies.

Nursing homes can help seniors with getting in and out of bed, showering, dressing, feeding and hygiene. They also provide high levels of medical care, including wound care, IV administration and health monitoring of chronic conditions. In a nursing home, seniors may receive diagnostic care, including X-rays.

Seniors with worsening health conditions and those who aren’t able to receive the care they need at home are excellent candidates for a nursing home. In some cases, a situation is unmanageable for family members, so they must make the decision to place their loved one in a nursing home.

According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of a semiprivate room in a nursing home in the United States is $7,908 per month. A private room costs around $9,034 per month. The actual cost of a facility can vary depending on where it’s located within the country. Other factors that can determine the cost of care include the age and size of the facility, the number of amenities and the type of care the facility provides.

There are four levels of hospice care: routine home care, general inpatient care, continuous home care and respite care. Routine home care keeps the individual stable by controlling the symptoms of their illness. General inpatient care is provided in a nursing home or hospital setting and provides short-term care for pain that has become unmanageable through other means of treatment. Continuous home care is crisis care, which typically involves an IV or other pain management. Respite care is provided for family members caring for their loved ones on their own. This type of hospice care focuses more on helping the caregiver and less on the patient’s needs.

The main type of care provided by hospice nurses is pain management through IV care or medication management. Other services include counseling, respite care and family support. Hospice care may offer family meetings, bereavement counseling and assistance with activities of daily living.

Individuals facing a terminal illness who want to remain as comfortable as possible during their last days are excellent candidates for hospice care. Hospice allows the illness to take its course on its own while focusing on medicated pain relief, spiritual advisement and counseling for the family.

The cost of hospice varies depending on where the care is provided. Typically, hospice is charged by the day — but these charges are usually paid by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance.