Frequently, hospitals are busy places. There is constant movement as nurses check on patients, follow treatment plans and update medical records. When you think of a hospice inpatient unit, your mind may turn to that of the busy atmosphere of a hospital. However, that’s not an accurate comparison.

“We appreciate the work of healthcare workers everywhere, and they always play an important role in our patients’ journeys,” said Rhonda Creech, BSN RN CHPN, the hospice inpatient facility clinical director for Kitty Askins Hospice Center. “While there are similarities, in so many ways, a hospice inpatient unit has a completely different tone. It’s a home-like environment with a setting specifically created to promote peace and relaxation.”

At 3HC, our inpatient hospice care centers provide symptom management for your loved one when their symptoms can’t be controlled at home. These are not nursing homes. They are another, deeper aspect of how our 3HC family cares for your family at the time when we’re needed most.

We’ll examine how inpatient hospice differs from a hospital, including how our hospice care centers serve you and your loved one.

How Is a Hospice Inpatient Unit Different From a Hospital?

You know your loved one needs help managing their symptoms. Perhaps it’s difficult to control their pain at home. While we always strive to provide hospice care at home whenever it is possible, sometimes, symptom control is best suited for another environment.

When we transfer your loved one to one of our inpatient hospice centers, they’ll be met with a relaxed environment where they have access to 24/7 assistance whenever needed.

But as we mentioned earlier, these are different from hospitals. Being in a hospice inpatient center is not the same as being in a hospital. The main differences between an inpatient hospice unit and a hospital are:

The Type of Care Received

When a patient is in hospice they are no longer seeking curative treatments. The focus has shifted to prioritize the quality of life. In a hospital, the focus is on treating the condition.

Staff Focus

In a hospital, you typically interact with a wide range of specialists, each one an expert in their field from cardiology to neurology. They focus on diverse medical needs and often help patients manage more than one chronic condition.

At a hospice inpatient unit, staff specializes in quality end-of-life care focused on symptom management. The goal is not to cure the illness but to enhance the quality of life so that you and your loved one can spend precious time together and enjoy making more memories.

The Atmosphere

Our hospice care centers create a peaceful, home-like environment. Unlike a hospital, which can be noisy and busy, an inpatient hospice provides plenty of room for rest and for visitation from family members. For example, our Kitty Askins Hospice Center includes:

• Spacious patient rooms
• A chapel
• Large sitting rooms
• Family rooms for visitation
• Dining rooms
• Special pet visitation

How Often Can Families Visit Their Loved Ones in Hospice Inpatient Units?

This is another dramatic difference between an inpatient hospice and a hospital setting. While both allow visitation, you may discover that a hospital has much more stringent visiting restrictions. There may only be specific windows of time when you can visit your loved one.

At our hospice centers, we encourage time with family and friends. Our open visitation means you’re always welcome. We know how important it is for your loved one to have emotional support from your entire family. During this challenging time, it’s also crucial to have time to discuss care plans and even important documents like advance directives.

As your loved one nears the end of their journey, we encourage you to spend as much time with them as possible, and our extended and flexible visitation policies make this happen.

What Types of Patients Qualify for a Hospice Inpatient Unit?

Not sure if your loved one is a candidate? If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you should speak to us about the benefits of inpatient hospice units.

• Does your loved one qualify for hospice, meaning they have a serious illness with a life expectancy of six months or less?
• Is it difficult to manage their symptoms at home?
• Do you and your family need relief from extensive caregiving responsibilities?
• Does your loved one require around-the-clock care and monitoring?

3HC Treats You Like Family So You Don’t Take This Journey Alone

For your loved one, this time is about quality of life. It’s about spending cherished moments together that aren’t tarnished by pain or discomfort. That’s where our compassionate, personalized support helps your entire family.

Would you like to know more about our inpatient hospice units? Not sure if you or a loved one qualifies for hospice? Please contact us for information on how to get the right care and let our family assist your family during this challenging time.