In short, you can expect that your quality of life will be improved. You will have relief from symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. You can also expect close communication and more control over your care.

Palliative care is based on need, not prognosis.  It can be appropriate at any age and during any stage of serious illness, whether the condition is curable, life-threatening or chronic.  

Palliative care addresses symptom management, coordination of care, communication and decision-making, clarification of goals of care and quality of life.

To receive home health care services, a physician (often the individual’s attending physician or specialist) must make a referral for care.  In order to be eligible, a patient must meet these requirements:

• Be under the care of a physician who orders home health services

• Meet the definition of ‘homebound’

• Require skilled health care services on an intermittent basis

Most insurance plans cover all or part of home health care, just as with other hospital and medical services. 

Guardian accepts self-pay for patients who do not qualify for insurance coverage and offer patient payment plans. 

Patients and their families can save considerably by choosing home health care over long-term hospitalization or a skilled nursing facility.

Services are provided in the setting that the patient calls home, which may be their private residence or that of a loved one.