What Are the Four Levels of Hospice Care?
When it comes to end-of-life care, there are no one-size-fits-all care plans. Care plans must be tailored to the individual, and when the unexpected happens, hospice care must be adaptable. The goal of hospice care is to manage symptoms while improving one’s quality of life, and this is what the four levels of hospice care are for. Every MediCare-certified healthcare organization that offers hospice care must provide these four levels. Let’s learn more about what the four levels of hospice care are and when they are needed with a highly experienced hospice provider, A & H Hospice.
Hospice Care for the Terminally Ill
What are the qualifications for the four levels of hospice care? To be considered eligible for hospice care, one must be diagnosed with a terminal illness and have a life expectancy of six months or less. When a cure is no longer attainable, the focus on care shifts to providing continuing care, comfort, and improving one’s quality of life. Because determining the life expectancy of a person can be difficult, hospice may extend for periods beyond six months. Hospice provides the patient with a team of healthcare professionals that focus on different areas of healthcare.
Services That Are Provided to Patients
What are the services given during the four levels of hospice care? Throughout any level of hospice care, the patient can receive the following assistance:
Pain and symptom management
Assistance with the tasks of daily living
Light housekeeping
Dietary and nutritional counseling
Bereavement and spiritual counseling
Physical therapy
Nursing services
Social worker services
Laboratory and diagnostic services
In addition to these services, patients may also be provided with medical equipment as needed. This might include oxygen and oxygen-delivering equipment, a hospital bed, a wheelchair, bandages, and other supplies.
The Most Common Level of Care: Routine Care
Routine care services are what the four levels of hospice care aim for. Routine care is when hospice healthcare professionals come to assist patients in their residences. This might be their home, the home of a family member where they live, a nursing home, or assisted living facility. The schedules of the hospice team members are decided by the patient, family members, and the case manager. A custom-tailored care plan might include help completing hygiene tasks, administering medications, assistance with meals, and other assistance as needed. Even when schedules are in place, patients can contact the hospice team for help outside of normal times.
Continuous Care
Continuous care services are what the four levels of hospice care provide during a medical crisis or as a patiends time nears. Continuous care is designed to honor the patient’s wish to remain at home while receiving care to alleviate acute symptoms. Healthcare professionals provide round-the-clock service for brief periods in order to get the patient’s symptoms under control. As we mentioned earlier, the goal of continuous care is to return the patient to a state where symptoms are stabilized and they may continue to receive routine care. Continuous care typically only lasts 1-5 days. Care team members may be present for at least 8 hours a day or may be needed up to 24 hours a day.
Some examples of when continuous care might be appropriate include:
Uncontrolled pain
Respiratory trouble
Excessive nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Seizures
Deterioration in consciousness
In-Patient Care
When symptoms can’t be managed at home, the patient can be moved to a facility where they are cared for around the clock by a team of hospice professionals. This is what is called in-patient hospice care, one of the four levels of care every MediCare-certified hospice organization must offer. In-patient care can be given in a hospital, nursing facility, or other free-standing hospice facility. The facility where in-patient care is provided is designed to be home-like, comforting, and peaceful. Family and friends are welcome to visit the patient where they can step back from their role as caregivers and focus on their loved one’s mental health. In-patient stays are typically short and the main goal is to be able to return the patient to their home to continue routine care.
Respite Care
As the end stages of life progress, the caregiving role of family members intensifies as more involved care is needed. Long days and nights can be taxing on the caregivers’ mental and physical health. Caregiver burnout is common as stress, sleeplessness, depression, and fatigue set in. Respite care breaks are what the four levels of hospice care can offer family members to combat burnout. Respite care can also be used for special events like weddings when the patient can’t be left alone for long periods. Respite care is limited to a maximum of five days per Benefit Period. Respite care is important for caregivers to restore their energy and promote balance in their lives.
Choosing Hospice Care for Your Loved One
Now that you know what the four levels of hospice care are, how do you choose the right hospice organization? The care that is provided to your loved one can make a big difference in their quality of life during the end stages of a terminal illness. When looking for a good hospice provider, look at their experience, read testimonials, and review their certifications and accreditations. Remember that MediCare-certified organizations are what are required to offer the four levels of hospice care.
Hospice Care in Southern California
A & H Hospice is MediCare-certified and ACHC accredited to provide the four levels of hospice care. Our team members have years of hospice care experience and are renowned for giving compassionate, empathetic services to our patients. We provide hospice care services to residents of Orange County, Los Angeles County, and surrounding counties. A & H Hospice accepts MediCare and MediCal as well as private insurance. Call today for a free consultation.