keeping the peace during a nursing home transition

When your loved one is ready to receive hospice care, it can be confusing to know the terminology and what the different levels of care are. Each level has distinct benefits that your family can use to best care for your loved one as they end their life.

Routine care

This is the standard level of care that is given to most hospice patients for the majority of their time. This is characterized by a standard array of treatments from nurses, home health aides, chaplains, social workers, and other members of the hospice care team. These healthcare professionals will come to their home multiple times a week to help to keep them comfortable and make sure that all is well with the whole family. During this time, they will also have access to volunteers who can perform a wide variety of tasks to help them - from light housekeeping and meal preparation to companionship services.

Respite care

Respite is a level of care that is given to patients for up to 5 days at a time. This allows the families of people who are on hospice to have a break. This is a higher level of care that is usually given by putting the patient in a facility. This gives them the option for round-the-clock monitoring so that you can be certain your family member will be taken care of even when you aren't around. Once the respite period is up, they will return home and you can resume care of them. Depending on your insurance, you may be able to have multiple respite periods over the course of your family member's time on hospice.

General inpatient care

General inpatient care, or GIP, is given when a patient's situation is so acute that they have to be in a skilled facility instead of at home or in an unskilled facility. During this time, they will have access to care above and beyond what is typically given on hospice. 

Continuous care

Continuous care is typically given at the end of a patient's life when they need the most care. As the name implies, it is characterized by a constant flow of clinicians helping out your loved one. This will help them to peacefully make the transition from life and help your family to start the grieving process without being worn out and exhausted.

While death is always a difficult transition, hospice care can help to make things easier for your entire family.