Caring for a cancer patient can take many forms. One of them is home hospice care. Patients in the terminal stage of their illness very often want to spend their remaining time in a place they know and feel connected to. The presence of loved ones is also important. Home palliative care also poses a financial and organizational challenge for the family. How much does round-the-clock care for a patient cost and how can you prepare for it? 

How do you organize home care for a sick person?

Caring for a loved one means looking after their health, safety, and physical and emotional well-being. Support for cancer patients takes many forms and depends on the patient’s health condition. Let’s start with the emotional support that every patient needs, regardless of the stage of their cancer.

A conversation—or, conversely, a quiet presence—is a seemingly small thing. However, in the rush of events and the pressure of responsibilities, many people still forget about it. If the patient’s condition allows it, involve them in daily household tasks and arrange visits from loved ones. Caring for a patient in the advanced stages of cancer or at the end of life requires a greater focus on providing peace and quiet for your loved one. Be by their side, hold their hand, so they can feel the presence of their family.

An important part of mental health support is seeing a psychologist and/or a chaplain.

What is palliative care at home like?

Home palliative care is primarily about alleviating the patient’s physical symptoms and ensuring the best possible quality of life. In addition to daily hygiene and care routines, you must ensure that the patient receives food and fluids, medications, and rehabilitation. An essential part of providing home hospice care is collaborating with specialists—doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and the psychologists and clergy mentioned earlier.

Check it out: how you can help people with cancer.

Is home hospice care free?

Home hospice care is—alongside inpatient hospice care and palliative care clinics—one of the forms of palliative care for people with cancer. Patients with health insurance can receive this care free of charge, based on a referral from a doctor. What does home-based palliative care covered by the National Health Fund (NFZ) include? At least two visits by a nurse per week and at least two visits by a doctor per month (along with 24/7 telephone support). The frequency of visits by a physical therapist and/or psychologist is determined by the attending physician.

Home hospice care covered by the National Health Fund (NFZ) is a great convenience for patients and their loved ones. However, it has its limitations—very often, patients need more visits from specialists or round-the-clock nursing care. In such cases, private home care is the solution for the patient and their family.

Check out: How much does cancer treatment cost?

Private Home Hospice Care – How to Organize Care for a Terminally Ill Person?

The first step in organizing home palliative care is to talk to the doctor treating the patient. Ask about prescriptions for medications, dietary needs, and any necessary medical or rehabilitation equipment. Prepare a room for the patient—make it a quiet and safe space, and fill it with your loved one’s favorite items.

Contact providers of in-home medical services. You’ll need to schedule visits from a doctor, nurse, physical therapist, and—if necessary and with the patient’s consent—a psychologist as well. How much does private home hospice care cost? Let’s discuss each component of palliative care separately.

Doctor's Appointments

A doctor’s home visit costs approximately 250 zł or more. The final price depends on where you live, and the monthly cost depends on the frequency of visits. It’s also a good idea to agree with your doctor on the rules for contacting him or her by phone, including at night and on holidays.

How much does a private nurse cost?

A private home nurse can help you with the daily care of a patient. The cost of a visit depends on the scope of services. For example, treating pressure sores costs 100–200 zł/h, administering an injection costs 50–100 zł, and round-the-clock care costs several hundred zł. Round-the-clock live-in care, on the other hand, costs several thousand zł per month.

Rehabilitation – How Much Does Private Palliative Care Cost?

Rehabilitation helps alleviate the patient’s pain and prevent pressure sores. A home visit by a physical therapist costs approximately 200–250 zł. The specialist may also recommend home exercises and rehabilitation equipment (either for purchase or rental).

A Visit to the Psychologist

A single session with a psychologist costs an average of 200 zł or more. Very often, it is not only patients but also their loved ones who seek help from a specialist.

How much does it cost to care for a cancer patient at home—including additional equipment and supplies?

Private home care also includes feeding the patient. In the case of palliative care, this usually involves specialized nutrition. The cost of a single bottle of this formula is approximately 10–15 zł. Another expense is hygiene and personal care products—protective creams, cleansing foams, adult diapers, and absorbent pads. Their monthly cost runs into the hundreds of zlotys. Additional accessories for the patient include, among other things, a pillow, knee/neck rolls, an anti-bedsore mattress, a rehabilitation bed, a wheelchair, an oxygen concentrator, a medical suction device, and an infusion pump. A detailed list of necessary items depends on the patient’s health condition.

How much does private palliative care cost per month?

The monthly cost of private home care runs into several thousand zlotys. This is a significant burden on the household budget—especially if a family member had to quit their job to care for the patient. To help cover the costs of medical equipment, medications, or doctor’s visits, you can apply for assistance from MOPS or PFRON. An effective way to raise the necessary funds for a patient is a fundraiser for cancer treatment. Through such a fundraiser, you can raise money for diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation, or palliative care.

Check out: what the funds raised can be used for.

Do you need help organizing and funding a home hospice? Contact us. Cancer Fighters is a secure fundraising platform that provides psychological and practical support to patients and their families. For years, we’ve been supporting patients at every stage of their illness, including the most difficult—the terminal stage. Palliative care is an emotional, organizational, and financial challenge. We’re here to help you and your loved ones get through this difficult time.