Hospital vs nursing home is a somewhat interesting topic to learn, since in some cases, hospital care is the best option, while in others, home care may be the most appropriate. But how do you decide between hospital vs nursing home?
Choosing between hospital vs nursing home care: factors to consider
At this time, we will explore the differences between these two healthcare options, so that, you can make an informed decision about what works best for you, or your loved one. In particular, we’ll focus on comparing the pros and cons of hospital vs nursing home, to help you understand the key differences, make an informed and appropriate decision regarding the medical care you need.
What are the duties of home health nurses?
The nursing home service is a benefit that is available for the care of a sick family member or who needs special care. On many occasions, lack of time prevents us from caring for our family member as we would like. For this reason, it is convenient to know the work that nurses do at home, how to request their services and the qualities that they must have.
Comparing the functions of the hospital vs nursing home, is that are not limited only to treating the sick, but also help the whole family.
- Show family members the attention that the patient should have.
- Carry out cures after a recent operation: after an operation, wounds may remain with stitches that must be disinfected. The periodic cures carried out by a nursing service at home will prevent the wounds from becoming infected and causing greater problems. The professional will have everything necessary such as gauze, dressings or physiological serum to carry out this work.
- Ulcer cure: ulcers must be taken care of for the speedy recovery of the patient. This work is very delicate, and it is advisable to request home nurses to do it.
- Help the patient in their daily hygiene.
- Administer both the necessary medications and the relevant vaccines.
- Check diabetes and blood glucose as well as provide the treatment you need.
- Help the patient to carry out the therapeutic exercises that their doctor has recommended.
- Prepare the food or serve the one that is already prepared.
- Monitor the evolution of the patient and be alert to any situation of deteriorating health to notify the family to their doctor.
- Help the patient in all their daily tasks to achieve greater autonomy.
- Taking vital signs to monitor the patient’s health.
Hospital vs Nursing Home: Understanding the Needs of Patients and Residents
The fact of hiring home care services has many advantages, especially for the patient. There are people who have problems getting around and others who prefer to receive assistance at home. The fact that home nurses come will improve their quality of life. Above all because they will not have to go to a hospital or medical center to get cures, give themselves injections, perform therapeutic exercises or have diabetes or blood glucose controls.
Although today the service of caregivers for home patients is not very widespread, more and more people decide to choose these professionals to have assistance at home.
Peace of mind from having a nurse at home:
Many families do not have time to care for a sick family member and think that the only option is a residence. However, when they know about the services of a home nurse, they are much calmer, since they know who and what the person who will care for their family member is like.
Home comfort:
It won’t be necessary that you or your relative will have to travel to a hospital or health center, but your home will be your own center. You will not have to wait in rooms full of people, since it will be the professional who will come to your house. Making the patient feel calmer and cooperate with the service. This is a big difference between hospital vs nursing home.
Trust and personalized treatment:
An essential feature in this hospital vs nursing home debate is that, nurses are health professionals qualified to perform many functions. Before beginning the work of home nurses, the first thing that will be done is a personalized analysis with the aim of knowing the care that the patient really needs first hand. In hospitals, may don’t be the same treating.
Avoid risks due to inappropriate displacements:
As we have indicated, by turning the living room into a health center you will not have to worry about moving around and, therefore, the patient will not have to worry about the effort involved in going to a health center.
Costs of hospital vs nursing home services
The costs of the services of the nursing home companies vary according to the geographic location, the quality of the facilities and the services offered. Typically, prices can range from $2,000 to $10,000 per month, depending on several factors.
- Geographic location: Nursing homes located in urban areas tend to be more expensive than those located in rural areas.
- Type of room: Prices may vary depending on the type of room chosen, from shared rooms to private rooms with their own bathroom.
- Additional services: Nursing home businesses may offer additional services, such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, recreational activities, and specialized health care programs, which may increase your monthly cost.
- Level of care needed: Patient who require an excellent amount of medical care, and personal care, such as those with chronic illnesses or dementia, may require additional services and therefore.
On the other hand, hospitals provide acute medical care and focus on treating serious illnesses and injuries. Costs can vary depending on the type of care received, from doctor visits to surgical procedures and hospitalization. Average costs for a hospital stay can range from $1,200 to $3,000 per day, depending on geographic location and the severity of the medical condition.
In general, the costs of nursing home services are lower than those of hospitals because the care provided in hospital vs nursing home is less intensive and does not require the same level of technology and medical personnel as a hospital vs nursing home. However, it is important to note that the services and care provided at each of these facilities are significantly different and focus on different patient needs.
