Inpatient Hospice Care

When a patient has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and their life expectancy is six months or less, they often receive routine hospice care at their home, nursing home, or assisted living facility. However, when the patient’s symptoms become unmanageable at home, the care team may determine that in-hospital hospice care is needed. The patient is moved to an inpatient hospice care unit where they are cared for around the clock by a team of hospice healthcare professionals. Safeguard your loved one with invaluable hospice services today by calling A & H Hospice in Southern California for a free consultation.

For a Free Consultation, Call 818-751-0700 or Contact Us.

Who Qualifies for the Hospice Inpatient Care Unit?

Family members and the hospice care team will help recognize the symptoms and signs that a patient should start to receive in-hospital hospice care. Some of the indications may include:

• Uncontrollable pain

• Very frequent nausea and vomiting

• Sudden deterioration

• Pathological fractures

• Extreme respiratory distress

• Symptom relief that requires monitoring and intravenous medications

• Complex wound care and frequent dressing changes

• Multiple and frequent seizures

• Extreme agitation and restlessness

• Minor procedures are needed to provide the patient with symptom relief

Where Is Inpatient Hospice Care Provided?

In most cases, California inpatient hospice care is provided in a hospital, but it may also be provided in nursing facilities that can provide round-the-clock service. The inpatient hospice care unit of a hospital is much different than that of an acute-care facility. It is a calm, home-like setting where hospice staff members give compassionate and empathetic care. They will take time to talk with the patient to answer questions and give the patient the appropriate amount of time needed to provide high-quality care without being rushed. The patient will have time to visit with family members and arrangements for overnight stays may be arranged.

How Long Does Inpatient Hospice Care Last?

In California, the goal of in-hospital hospice care is to stabilize the patient’s symptoms so they may return home to continue receiving routine hospice care. The healthcare team will evaluate the patient’s symptoms, provide intensive symptom management, and give round-the-clock care with regular visits. With such attentive care, the healthcare team is usually able to get the patient’s symptoms under control and discharge them home within days. A typical stay in the hospital will last between 2-7 days before the patient is able to be sent home.

Who We Serve

A & H Hospice provides all four levels of hospice care to residents of Southern California. The counties we serve include Los Angeles County, Kern County, Orange County, Ventura County, San Bernardino, and Riverside County. If you live on the border of our service areas, we encourage you to call 818-751-0700 or contact us and talk with a member of our team.

Why Us

A medical crisis can happen anytime for someone who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. And when it happens, you need the reassurance that your loved one will be cared for by experienced and compassionate hospice professionals.

• We are ACHC accredited in California and maintain the highest standards of care for every patient.

• Our hospice team members have the knowledge and expertise to properly care for patients when emergencies occur.

• From routine care to 24/7 inpatient care, your loved one is in good hands with A & H Hospice in Southern California.

Our Mission 

There is nothing more difficult than facing the fact that one’s life will end early. It affects the whole family, and that is why hospice care is so important. Our mission is to improve the patient’s quality of life while providing support for their family members. Along with symptom management, the patient and their family members also receive bereavement and spiritual counseling.

Benefits of Inpatient Hospice Care

While patients are receiving in-hospital hospice care, they are looked after all day and all night to promote a speedy recovery. Patients will receive care that can’t be given at home. For example, they might receive medications that need constant supervision. Patients have access to all the benefits that a hospital can provide including state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, a range of specialists, emergency services, and more. Inpatient hospice care gives family members the peace of mind that healthcare professionals are doing everything in their power to improve the patient’s condition. Families can step back in their role as primary caregivers and focus on their loved one’s emotional needs.

What You Can Expect

Once the patient is moved to an inpatient hospice unit in California, they will be under the care of nurses and physicians that are experienced in dealing with the many complications that terminal illnesses can present. While they work to stabilize the patient and control the symptoms, they will also act with compassion when talking with the patient and helping them to understand what is happening. Family members will have plenty of time to visit their loved one while they are under this intense level of care.

FAQs