| Purpose | Provides skilled medical care and support for patients recovering from illness or injury at home. | Focuses on providing comfort and quality of life for terminally ill patients in the final stages of life. |
| Eligibility | Typically available to individuals of all ages with acute or chronic health conditions requiring medical care. | Available to terminally ill patients with a life expectancy of six months or less, as certified by a physician. |
| Goals | Aims to help patients recover, manage their conditions, and regain independence with the goal of returning to normal life. | Emphasizes comfort, symptom management, and emotional support, prioritizing quality of life over curative treatment. |
| Services Provided | Includes skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, medication management, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). | Offers palliative care, pain management, symptom relief, emotional and spiritual support, and assistance with ADLs as needed. |
| Care Team | Comprises healthcare professionals such as nurses, therapists, and aides, often under the supervision of a physician. | Involves a multidisciplinary team, including nurses, doctors, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers, focused on end-of-life care. |
| Duration | Typically short-term and focused on a patient's recovery or rehabilitation, with variable lengths of care depending on the patient's needs. | Provided during the final stages of life, often for a limited period, but can extend based on the patient's condition. |
| Location of Care | Primarily delivered in the patient's own home or place of residence. | Can be provided at home, in a hospice facility, or in a nursing home, depending on the patient's preferences and needs. |
| Payment | Covered by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or out-of-pocket, depending on eligibility and plan coverage. | Covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance for eligible patients. Hospice services often include comprehensive coverage. |
| Bereavement Support | Typically does not include bereavement support as a primary service. | Offers bereavement support and counseling to the patient's family after the patient's passing. |
| Emphasis on Comfort | Focused on providing medical care and improving the patient's health and functioning. | Prioritizes comfort, emotional well-being, and quality of life, without curative intent. |
| Medical Equipment | May provide medical equipment or assist with its use, depending on the patient's needs. | Offers medical equipment and supplies as needed to manage symptoms and enhance comfort. |
| Symptom Management | Focuses on treating and managing symptoms to improve health and functional outcomes. | Concentrates on symptom management to provide relief and enhance the patient's comfort |
