Understanding the Four Levels of Hospice Care

Hospice care focuses on providing comfort and dignity to individuals with life-limiting illnesses. To meet the diverse needs of patients and caregivers, hospice care is delivered in four different levels. These levels allow for flexibility in care, ensuring that the right type of support is available as a patient’s condition changes. Whether at home, in a facility, or in a specialized inpatient center, hospice care aims to provide comprehensive, compassionate support to improve the quality of life during the end-of-life journey.

At Lifted Hospice, we are Medicare-certified and offer all four levels of hospice care to ensure that patients and their families receive the appropriate care at the right time. Let’s explore each level and what it means for you and your loved ones.

The Four Levels of Hospice Care

1. Routine Home Care

1. Routine Home Care

Routine home care is the most common level of hospice care. It involves regular visits from the hospice team to manage pain and symptoms while the patient remains in the comfort of their own home. Our team at Lifted Hospice will provide medical equipment, supplies, and medication tailored to the patient’s diagnosis—all at no extra cost. Routine home care also includes emotional and spiritual support for both patients and their families.

What’s Included in Routine Home Care?

  • Pain and symptom management
  • Emotional and spiritual counseling
  • Assistance with daily activities like bathing and dressing
  • Coordination with family caregivers and healthcare providers
  • Medication and medical equipment delivery

   
Routine home care allows patients to stay in a familiar environment while receiving high-quality, compassionate care.

2. Continuous Home Care (Crisis Care)

2. Continuous Home Care (Crisis Care)

Continuous home care is provided during periods of medical crisis when symptoms become difficult to manage at home. This level of care involves around-the-clock nursing support for short-term symptom management. The goal of continuous care is to stabilize the patient’s condition, allowing them to remain at home without the need for hospitalization.

What’s Included in Continuous Home Care?

• 24/7 nursing care

• Intensive symptom management (for severe pain, nausea, or breathing difficulties)

• Regular monitoring of vital signs and medication administration

• Emotional support for families during critical moments

Continuous care is designed to bring peace of mind to both the patient and their family during challenging times, offering skilled care and support.

3. General Inpatient Care

3. General Inpatient Care

If a patient’s symptoms cannot be managed effectively at home, general inpatient care becomes necessary. This level of care is provided in a hospital, hospice inpatient facility, or skilled nursing facility where the patient receives round-the-clock medical attention. Inpatient care is focused on managing severe symptoms, such as uncontrolled pain or severe respiratory distress.

What’s Included in General Inpatient Care?

• 24-hour medical supervision in a specialized facility

• Pain and symptom management

• Support from physicians, nurses, and other hospice professionals

• Safe, homelike environment with family-friendly visiting policies

The goal of inpatient care is to stabilize the patient’s condition so they can return home as soon as possible, if desired.

4. Respite Care

4. Respite Care

Caring for a loved one at home can be physically and emotionally exhausting for family caregivers. Respite care is designed to give caregivers a much-needed break while ensuring the patient continues to receive high-quality care. Patients are temporarily admitted to a Medicare-certified facility, such as a hospice inpatient center or skilled nursing facility, where they receive care for up to five days.

What’s Included in Respite Care?

• Short-term care in a hospice or healthcare facility

• 24/7 support and symptom management

• Emotional and spiritual support

• Opportunity for family caregivers to rest or tend to personal matters

Respite care not only benefits caregivers but also ensures patients remain comfortable and well-cared for during their stay.

How Lifted Hospice Supports You Through Each Level of Care

At Lifted Hospice, we understand that every patient’s needs are different and that those needs can change over time. That’s why we are proud to offer all four levels of hospice care, ensuring a smooth transition between levels as required. Our dedicated hospice team will work closely with you and your family to assess your condition and recommend the appropriate level of care.

Why Choose Lifted Hospice?

Comprehensive Care: We offer the full range of hospice services, including medical, emotional, and spiritual support.

Flexible Care Plans: As your needs change, we seamlessly transition you between the different levels of care to ensure continuous support.

Compassionate Team: Our hospice staff is trained to provide dignified, patient-centered care at every level.

Family Support: We not only care for the patient but also provide essential support to family caregivers through respite care and emotional counseling.

At Lifted Hospice, our mission is to bring comfort and peace to our patients and their loved ones, no matter what level of care they require.

FAQs about Hospice Levels of Care

Hospice care is generally covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. This includes all four levels of hospice care, as well as medications, equipment, and other related services. If you have questions about coverage, our team is here to assist you.

Our hospice team will work closely with your physician and family to assess your loved one’s condition and recommend the appropriate level of care based on their symptoms and needs.

Yes, hospice care is flexible. A patient may transition between different levels of care as their needs change. For example, a patient receiving routine home care may temporarily require continuous care during a medical crisis, or inpatient care if symptoms become unmanageable at home.

There is no set time limit for hospice care. As long as a patient continues to meet eligibility requirements, they can receive hospice care. Some patients may need care for just a few days, while others may remain in hospice for several months.

What Families Are Saying About Lifted Hospice

In this section, we will feature a review widget that highlights testimonials from families who have received care from Lifted Hospice. This will allow potential patients and their families to read first-hand experiences, further building trust.

“Lifted Hospice provided my family with the support we needed during my mother’s final days. The team was caring, responsive, and always there when we needed them most.”

R. Johnson

“We were overwhelmed before contacting Lifted Hospice. They guided us every step of the way and made sure my grandmother felt loved.”

Michael W.

For more information about the levels of hospice care or to learn more about how Lifted Hospice can help, contact us today. Call 777-3000 or visit our contact us page.

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