Hospice care is a type of care service designed to provide comfort and support for individuals facing life-limiting conditions. The primary goal of hospice care is to relieve pain and other symptoms and support loved ones and their families emotionally and spiritually. 

Depending on the level of hospice care, hospice can include 24-hour care, but many forms of at-home care are based on providing 8 hours of care over a 24-hour period. 

While a hospice nurse may not always be with a loved one 24 hours a day, a hospice team or registered nurse is often available by telephone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even on holidays and weekends.

What Is Hospice Care?

Hospice care is typically for individuals with a serious or terminal illness who choose not to have treatment because treatment for their illness may be ineffective or too burdensome for themselves or a loved one.

Hospice care helps patients receive the care they need to manage their symptoms and maintain their quality of life. It can also be a valuable resource for family members of loved ones, providing comfort and support during a difficult time. 

Hospice care can also benefit family caregivers in the form of respite care by helping provide relief for those who experience the following:

• Physical and emotional exhaustion or caregiver burnout
• Guilt for neglecting other family members
• Feeling overwhelmed 
• Lack of availability due to uncertainty about a loved one’s condition

Where Is Hospice Care Available?

Hospice care is available in various settings, including a patient’s home, hospice communities, and hospitals. Hospice care teams typically include a range of healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers. They work together to develop a customized care plan that meets the needs of a loved one and their family.

When Should a Person Start Hospice Care?

Knowing when to choose hospice care can be difficult. Many people wait until the final weeks or days to start hospice care, while others do so when a medical condition is deemed terminal. A loved one’s doctor may make a recommendation for anyone whose time may be limited because of the natural progression of a disease or illness. 

Hospice care services and support can include the following:

• Personal care
• Help with activities of daily living
• Medication management
• Access to medical equipment, oxygen, and other supplies
• Access to community resources
• Assistance with filing forms and making final arrangements
• 24/7 communication with a registered nurse
• Companionship
• Emotional and spiritual support
• Homemaker services

Signs a Person Can Benefit from Hospice Care

While hospice care can benefit those with immediate life-limiting conditions, starting earlier can also provide meaningful results and help families spend quality time with a loved one. 

Here are some situations where hospice care can help:

• Diagnosis of a life-limiting illness 
• A desire to stop curative treatment
• Medical and personal support needs increase
• A concern of burdening loved ones
• Repeated hospitalizations or emergency room visits
• Increase in pain or nausea 
• Breathing changes
• Decreased alertness or increased sleeping

Levels of Hospice Care

There are 4 different levels of hospice care, including:

• Routine home care: This is a standard level of hospice care that can be provided in a loved one’s home or a hospice community. Support and assistance at this level can include regularly scheduled visits based on individual needs, pain management, and symptom control. 
• Continuous hospice care: This level of care is based on providing crisis care when a loved one’s condition requires immediate support from a skilled nurse.
• Inpatient hospice care: When a loved one can no longer receive the care needed at home, they can be admitted to a hospital or hospice center where healthcare professionals can provide constant support to control pain and stabilize symptoms. 
• Respite care: This level of care provides caregivers of loved ones relief from ongoing care. When a caregiver needs a break, a loved one can receive short-term respite care at a community designed to meet their needs.

Can You Get 24-Hour Hospice Care at Home?

Hospice teams can provide support and care for loved ones and their families in the comfort of their own homes. However, at-home care is often limited to around 8 hours of care provided during a single day, with a hospice team available 24/7 by phone. 

A hospice team can work with a loved one and their family to develop a customized care plan that meets their unique needs. However, it’s important to note that not all hospice programs can provide 24-hour care at home, and the availability of this service may vary depending on the hospice provider and a loved one’s insurance coverage.

The Right Care When You Need It

Hospice care allows loved ones to focus on their quality of life and spending quality time with family and friends. For hospice care that can meet the needs of your family, consider Del Corazon Hospice. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced, friendly team.