What to Expect
There are four levels of hospice care. The level of care is highly determined by the patients’ conditions. The physician and hospice nurse authorize the changes in the level of care.
There’s no out-of-pocket expense, and all medications & equipment related to the terminal diagnosis are covered.
The four levels of hospice care are:
Routine Home Care
Routine home care is provided by compassionate hospice professionals in the San Diego area in the patient’s place of residence. The care is delivered by specially trained medical staff, spiritual and social work professionals, and volunteers. Assistance with pain management, skilled nursing care, and symptom management are provided. The interdisciplinary hospice team coordinates care with the patient and family.
Most patients, with the assistance of the hospice team, are able to remain in their place of residence, whether it is a private home, Assisted Living, or nursing home, for the duration of their illness. If the patient lives in an Assisted Living or Nursing Home, the care delivered is in addition to the normal nursing and caregiving care provided by the facility with no out-of-pocket cost to the patient and family. The care is coordinated by our interdisciplinary hospice team in collaboration with the facility staff, the patient, and the family.
We will collaborate with your primary caregivers to ensure the patient and family are comfortable and at peace.
Continuous Care
If the patient’s symptoms are out of control, Continuous Care will be initiated. Continuous Care is provided by our hospice team for several hours a day, up to 24 hours a day, until the crisis is resolved. The hospice nurse will assist in determining when continuous care is needed.
- Continuous Care is initiated when symptoms such as pain, anxiety, and respiratory distress are out of control, and bedside support is necessary to control these symptoms.
- We will be by your side irrespective of how long it takes to keep you or your loved one comfortable.
- Continuous Care gives a higher level of support without having to relocate to a facility.
- Once the patient has stabilized, we return to Routine Care.
General InPatient Care
General InPatient Care is similar to Continuous Care. However, If the symptoms cannot be managed at home, we will care for the patient in a facility. During In-Patient Care, we assess the patient daily and cover room and board as long as the patient requires this level of symptom management.
Once stabilized, our team transitions your loved one back to a routine level of care.
Respite Care
Respite care is available to the primary caregivers and family in need of rest from caring for the patient. There are several local nursing facilities, as well as private respite homes, available for respite care. You or your loved one will be able to stay in one of our contracted facilities for up to five (5) days per benefit period, according to Medicare guidelines.
Respite Care is a short-term relief program designed to give the primary caregiver in need of rest an opportunity to tend to other concerns. Our team will relocate you or your loved one for up to 5 days, and we will cover room and board during this respite period.
- Families choose respite care to “catch up” on life or attend important events (e.g. high school graduation, church events)
- Caregivers often depend on respite care to get rest and recharge with peace of mind that their loved one is in good hands.
- At the end of Respite Care, the patient is transferred to Routine Care in their place of residence.
