The need for long-term care is becoming essential as the population is aging. There could be some disease that will take months or years to recover. In that case, only relying on hospital checkups or staying in hospital rooms for months could financially burden the family members.
It’s quite obvious that taking long-term care in hospitals would not be an ideal decision where choosing home nursing would be the most cost-effective option. This approach will not only be budget-friendly but also provide all medical assistance in a familiar environment for the patient.
The majority of people in Pakistan can’t afford prolonged stays in hospitals. Home nursing will significantly reduce healthcare costs in many terms, which we are going to discuss. Let’s go into detail and explore the factors that make home nursing cost-effective for long-term care in Pakistan.
Understanding Long-Term Care
Long-term care can include a range of services, including both medical and non-medical needs of those who are suffering from diabetes, mature in age, and going through some chronic illness. Home nursing services are best for elders who need some help with daily routine activities, medical checkups, and emotional support. Going for long-term care services would be best for patients suffering from diseases like cancer, disabilities, chronic diseases, etc. These are medical conditions that require consistent support and medical assistance for quick recovery. Effective long-term care of patients could only be possible at home, so no one can afford to stay in the hospital for months.
Financial Benefits of Home Nursing
Home nursing offers a huge number of benefits that make it an effective option choose for long-term care in Pakistan. One of the main advantages is reducing overall health costs in terms of staying, transportation, meals, medicines, and even help in daily routine tasks. Continuous care at home will improve the health of patients. Patients are feeling peaceful and safe by staying at home and getting all the medical assistance that they deserve. Whether a Either family needs full-time or part-time assistance, home nursing is always available to satisfy their needs. In home nursing, nurses make customized plans for patients, which could be implemented at home at affordable rates.
Cost Comparison: Home Nursing vs. Traditional Care
Breakdown of Costs for Hospital and Nursing Home Care
Room and Board
Hospitals charge daily rates to stay, which in return becomes a big giant of money on the shoulders of family members. These rooms could also be classified as A/B/C classes, and in A class, there will be all utilities like bathrooms, fridges, and ovens. In the B class, there would be fewer utilities, and so would the C class.
In Pakistan, not everyone can afford rooms, so there is a chance sometimes some people have to keep their patients in the hall where other people are also lying. There could be a chance of using the same medical equipment for checkups for every patient, which can be dangerous for the patient. For long-term care, home nursing services are always the best options to choose. By staying at home, there will be no tension in paying the rent or needing to worry about using utilities.
Medical Services
Medical services could include every type of medical need, such as medical treatments, procedures, consultations, tests, etc. As compared to hospitals, home nursing services are cost-effective when patients need to take medical services very often.
Additional Fees and Hidden Costs
There is a chance to see additional charges while paying the bill, like administrative fees, therapies, or the cost of some special medications. There is a chance that hospital authorities charge for utilities or any other miscellaneous expenses separately other than the room rent.
Breakdown of Costs for Home Nursing
Home Nurse Salary
The main expense for home nursing services would be salaries. It can vary based on their experience, qualification, or the complexity of medical services you are going to take. But still, home nursing will be a much more affordable option than hospitals. The overall cost could be adjusted based on whether you are hiring for full-time or part-time.
Medical Equipment and Supplies
Most home nurses carry their bags with all the required equipment, but you still have to make some initial investment if there is a need for a medicated mattress for patients lying or if any oxygen tanks are needed. Family members can take this necessary equipment on rent or buy it themselves, depending on their financial budget. Other medical equipment like dressings and hygiene products could be found in nurses’ bags, and they can be charged separately for their use.
Transportation and Miscellaneous Expenses
This is obvious: travel expenses are going to be on the minus list as patients don’t need to visit the hospitals/clinics for checkups. However, other costs, such as meals or when guests visit to ask for patients, would be minimized as well. The overall hospital financial burden would be minimized for long-term care than in hospitals.
Conclusion
As we discussed in detail, we reached the obvious conclusion that home nursing is the best and most economical option for long-term care for patients. In-home nursing care, family members can also spend time with elders while working in their corporate jobs, and elders can get compassionate care in the comfort of their homes, which will improve their emotional and mental health effectively.
As we now know, for long-term care, a prolonged stay is not a smart decision, so taking home nursing services in Rawalpindi would be the best and most affordable option if you want passionate care for your loved ones. It will reduce the overall healthcare cost and improve the chances of patient recovery.