If you have a loved one undergoing a chronic medical condition, it’s natural to want to be the primary caregiver and show the person how much they’re loved, valued, and treasured. But sometimes, we all need a little bit of help. Being the primary caregiver can be a significant challenge, and there may be a point when you need to consider hospice care. But how long does hospice care last?

There are 4 levels of hospice care here at Del Corazon Hospice:

• Routine home care, which lasts as long as needed

• Continuous care, which is renewed every 24 hours as needed

• Inpatient care, which lasts a maximum of 5 days

• Respite care, which lasts a maximum of 5 days.

The Basics of Hospice Care

When a loved one is living with a chronic condition or is recovering from a recent illness, it can be difficult to care for them alone. Being there for somebody you love around the clock can be overwhelming without professional help.

This is when hospice care becomes an excellent option. It offers a way to gain support from a team of trained professional caregivers and can be performed either in your loved one’s home or in a dedicated care community.

The goal of hospice care is simple. It’s designed to prioritize comfort, dignity, and quality of life, all while making sure that your family receives the support and care you need. It’s not a type of care designed to offer advanced technical medical support; instead, hospice care is about minimizing symptoms and pain to give your loved one relief from their condition.

The Different Types of Hospice Care

Here at Del Corazon Hospice, we offer 4 levels of hospice care services:

• Routine care
• Continuous care
• Inpatient care
• Respite care

Each of these is designed for different situations.

Routine Home Hospice Care

Routine home care is the most common level of hospice care. This can be provided both in your loved one’s home and in our care community.

With routine care, we arrange scheduled visits to address your loved one’s spiritual, emotional, and physical needs. The focus is on helping your loved one with:

• Pain management
• Easing symptoms
• Therapy programs

We schedule these visits as needed, and every person we support receives a custom care plan designed to meet their unique situation. Some patients stay in routine home care for their entire life; others may transition to more advanced care as needed. 

Continuous Hospice Care

Our continuous hospice care program—also sometimes referred to as “crisis care”—exists to help seniors experiencing a sudden change in their medical health. This is ideal for critical situations when a skilled nursing intervention is required.

During this time, our team offers 8 total hours of skilled nursing care within a single 24-hour period. At the end of the 24 hours, the situation will be carefully reviewed—if your loved one requires more care, the plan will begin again.

This way, your loved one can receive the exact care they need without putting their health at risk. Think of continuous hospice care as a temporary solution for urgent needs.

Inpatient Hospice Care

Sometimes, certain medical conditions can be too difficult to safely treat at home. When your loved one’s needs are beyond what can safely be met at home, they may be admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing center for advanced treatment.

Our inpatient hospice care program is designed for this situation. Our team of caregivers will be available around the clock to help support your loved one through their recovery. The goal of this program is to:

• Manage severe pain
• Minimize the impact of symptoms
• Bring your loved one comfort and dignity

Through this program, we aim to help your loved one return home without putting their health at risk. Typically, we offer inpatient hospice care for a limited period of time—usually 3 to 5 days—to support your loved one in their recovery.

Respite Care

Sometimes, caring for your loved one alone can be overwhelming. It’s a difficult task, and there’s nothing wrong with admitting that you need some help as well. Caregiver burnout is a real thing, and it’s something that you should always avoid; it can have significant long-term effects on your health if you aren’t careful.

If you’re starting to feel exhausted, as though there isn’t enough time in the day, it’s time to consider respite care. This is a type of temporary support designed to give you a break. While you relax and focus on yourself, our team will move your loved one to a dedicated skilled nursing community.

There, they’ll be able to enjoy all of the amenities of the community around them. They can enjoy plenty of activities and social opportunities while receiving support from a team of trained and experienced caregivers. This can last for up to 5 continuous days, giving you a wonderful way to step back and focus on yourself for a change—without compromising your loved one’s health and wellness.

Is It Time for Hospice Care?

Hospice care can be an incredible way to help a loved one in need. Here at Del Corazon Hospice, we’re here to help. If you have a loved one in need, contact our team today; it’s the first step towards getting your loved one the care they deserve!