Caring for a loved one at home is demanding, day and night. Respite care gives family caregivers a break. While you rest, the patient stays in a Medicare-approved facility, such as a nursing home, and is cared for by trained staff.
How respite care works
- The patient can stay for up to five days in a row.
- Our team arranges the stay, and the patient’s transport if it meets medical necessity.
- The hospice plan of care continues during the stay, including medications and pain and symptom management.
- After the stay, the patient returns home and routine hospice care continues.
Respite care can be used more than once, on an occasional basis.
When families use respite care
- The main caregiver is exhausted and needs to rest and recover
- The caregiver is ill or needs medical care of their own
- The caregiver needs to travel or handle urgent personal matters
Asking for respite is not a sign of failure. Caregivers who rest are better able to keep caring.
Respite care or inpatient care for symptoms?
Respite care is for the caregiver’s needs. If a patient has pain or other symptoms that cannot be managed at home, the hospice team can arrange a short inpatient stay for that reason instead. This is called general inpatient care. Read about the four levels of hospice care.
What it costs
Respite care is part of the Medicare hospice benefit. Call us and we will explain any costs before the stay, including coverage under Medicaid or private insurance.
Ask about respite care
If your loved one is in our care, talk to your hospice nurse or social worker. If they are not yet in hospice care, call us at (210) 817-4746.