How tough is it to provide hospice care at home?
Although home hospice care can be difficult, many family members select it as a present for their loved ones. According to Medicare surveys, about 80% of caregivers think their hospice experience was pleasant.
There will be days when things go well and days when things go wrong. You’re not alone, thankfully. The hospice team will be there for you every step of the way.
Respite care is covered by Medicare if you need a short break. It covers patient transportation as well as up to five days of inpatient care at a nursing home or hospital.
Medicare hospice benefits are guaranteed.
All Medicare hospice providers must provide a certain list of services as part of their benefits. Among the services offered are:
- Medical services and consultations, as well as a treatment plan
- Nursing care
- Medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, or medical beds
- Medical supplies, such as bandages or catheters
- Homemaker and hospice aide services
- Respite care, which provides caregivers with temporary relief.
- Services in physical therapy
- Services in occupational therapy
- Services in speech-language pathology
- Services in social welfare
- Any other Medicare-covered services needed to manage pain and other symptoms related to the terminal illness
- Dietary counseling
- Grief and loss counseling for you and your family
- Volunteer services for errands, friendly visits, or light support for caregivers
- Any other Medicare-covered services needed to manage pain and other symptoms related to the terminal illness
Music therapy, pet therapy, massage treatment, and other therapies are occasionally available through hospice programs.
After six months, you can still obtain help.
Patients and families can continue to receive comfort care if the hospice medical director re-certifies that a hospice patient is terminally ill during a face-to-face visit.
Patients with non-terminal illnesses continue to receive care.
Patients continue to receive routine medical treatment for illnesses unrelated to their terminal illness. A patient with diabetes, for example, can receive checks and diabetic medication through Medicare or their other insurance.
You have the option to discontinue hospice care and resume curative treatment at any time.
Because a patient’s health may improve or a new treatment becomes available, families may choose to terminate care.
Care During a Break
Respite care is included in the Medicare hospice benefit so that family caregivers can rest and recharge. Up to five consecutive days of inpatient care at a nursing facility or hospital are covered by Medicare coverage. The hospice benefit offers an extra layer of supportive care on top of 24-hour nursing care for individuals who are already in a nursing facility.
Weekends, holidays, and after-hours
In the event of an emergency, hospice nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact information and emergency details are included in your care plan. Notify the hospice if there are any gaps in emergency care.
- You and your family
- The hospice teams
- Your doctor and other medical professionals
- Bereavement coordinator
- Volunteer coordinator
- Volunteers
- Hospice medical director
- Nurses
- Hospice chaplain
- Hospice social worker
- Hospice aides
