Hospital at Home: Bridging the Gap Between Home Care and Medical Treatment
What seniors need in terms of home care varies greatly from one person to another, and knowing more about the options available is fundamental to making the right choice. Among all the choices, is home hospitalization. The expression might sound more complicated than it is. In the end, receiving hospital care at home means that you receive services similar to those provided in a hospital.
What Is Hospitalization at Home?
You might be wondering what is home hospital care exactly. Simply put, hospital-at-home care means that a person receives medical care at home, similar to what they would receive in a hospital. When comparing home care vs hospital care, it’s important to understand that while home care may include some medical assistance, hospital care at home is more extensive. Instead of occasional visits—such as a nurse coming once a week—hospital-at-home care provides 24-hour senior care at home, ensuring close and continuous monitoring of the person’s health.
In most cases, the services are provided by specialized nurses. Monitoring is a key component, with options ranging from virtual check-ins to in-person visits, depending on the individual's needs.
Home hospitalization may be available through the public healthcare system in some hospitals or through private providers.
Why Is Home Care Preferable Than Long-Term Hospitalization?
Nobody looks forward to an extended hospital stay but home hospitalization makes it possible to receive proper care in the comfort of home, surrounded by family. This provides a reassuring and familiar environment, which is a significant advantage.
It also greatly reduces the risk of contracting a health care associated infection. Of course, being at home doesn’t exclude all health risks, but controlling the environment at home is indeed easier.
In hospitals, seniors often become inactive, which can lead to physical, mental, and social consequences. At home, it’s much easier to encourage movement, social visits, and an active lifestyle.
Choosing in-home nursing care for the elderly frees a hospital bed, reducing the congestion in hospitals.
To compare the costs between long-term hospitalization and staying at home, several factors need to be considered. Even within the public system, accessing a private or semi-private room can cost between $100 and $200 a day. Other costs should be taken into consideration, such as transportation for visits, especially if the hospital is far from the senior’s family.
What Is the Hospital at Home Program?
The hospital at home program allows people with a stable acute medical or surgical condition to receive care at home instead of staying in a hospital. It follows the same principles as home hospitalization, but the services are provided by the public system at no cost.
The person still receives the same level of care and remains a priority within the healthcare system. A nurse isn’t present at home at all times, but virtual monitoring is conducted continuously using connected medical devices. When needed, an in-person visit is arranged.
The program is currently being implemented, starting in the Greater Montreal area and Quebec City. The goal is to extend the service throughout Quebec by 2026.
What To Do To Get Home Hospitalization Services?
There are two ways to access home hospitalization services; paying for private service or using the public system. The public program for home hospitalization is still in development and currently available only in larger cities. However, if it is being implemented in your area, it’s worth checking with the hospital to see if your loved one is eligible.
Many providers in the private sector offer high quality and very flexible hospitalization at home services. Prices and quality of care can vary, so make sure to thoroughly research a provider before requesting their services. When you contact a provider, they will assess the senior’s needs and recommend a personalized care plan tailored to their situation.
Hospital-at-home guidelines often require a hospital bed. These can be obtained on loan for free through a Local Community Service Centre (CLSC). The availability of hospital beds for home use may vary from one region to another. If needed, there are private businesses that rent hospital beds. You can expect to pay up to a few hundred dollars a month for a medical bed.
When possible, hospital-at-home care is an excellent way for seniors to receive the medical attention they need while staying surrounded by loved ones. If public services are not available in your area, private providers offer flexible solutions to ensure quality care at home. While costs can be a consideration, this option often provides the best balance of comfort, convenience, and personalized medical support.