They both Hospice along with Home Health are focused on the patient’s needs, and offer the home visits to address patient’s needs. Home health care is designed to assist patients in recovering from surgery, injury or illness and advance towards improved functioning. Hospice offers relief measures to manage the symptoms and pain of patients suffering from advanced illnesses when curative medical therapies are not as effective or are not preferred.

Vickie Wacaster is a patient and Hospice Advocate with Aveanna Hospice (formerly Comfort Care Hospice)


Below is a listing of some commonalities and differences between the two home health services.


A person who is receiving home health could be able to qualify for hospice care as their condition gets worse. Here are a few indicators that could indicate you or a loved one might benefit from hospice, which is a higher degree of medical care.


  • Weight loss that is not intentional, and in the amount that is greater than 10% of your normal body weight
  • A new or improved ability to exercise and spend longer in a chair or in bed
  • Reduced consumption of alcohol or food
  • More drowsiness, more sleep
  • More confusion
  • In need of assistance for everyday activities like eating, bathing, dressing and walking
  • Being more incontinent with stool and urine
  • A significant decrease in mental alertness, memory and even thinking
  • Breathing difficulty or shortness of breath while at rest or during only a small amount of effort
  • Ongoing functional decline


If the patient in hospice noticeably improves, the physician may review the patient’s prognosis and recommend removal from hospice and transfer into home healthcare.

Hospice and Home Health are two healthcare options which are offered at home. They can significantly reduce the number of emergency room visits and repeated hospitalizations. Comparing Home Health and Hospice should assist you in deciding which option is best suited to your requirements. Both have their own requirements as well as both require doctor’s approval.


If you would like more information, consult your physician or contact your local Home Health or Hospice of your preference.


“May the choices you make reflect what is in your heart and rather than your worries.” Nelson Mandela

— Vickie C. Wacaster is a patient and Advocate for Hospice for Aveanna Hospice.

The article Hospice and home health care services focusing on various types of health care was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.