Choosing a hospice care provider is a big decision. Therefore, you need to educate yourself on the various hospice services and what they provide. Here is a list of the different types of hospice care available to you.

Routine Home Care

The first type of hospice care available to you is routine home care. Patients will receive this level of care intermittently based on their specific needs. Routine home care is available in a hospice facility, nursing home, assisted living, or even in the comfort of your own home. This is the basic level of care that provides comfort to patients near the end of life. Pain management, counseling, nutrition services, and assistance with daily activities are all examples of what routine home care has to offer.

Continuous Home Care

Continuous home care is the next type of hospice care available to you. People sometimes call this level of care “crisis care” because patients typically receive this care after a serious medical crisis. For example, if a patient is experiencing severe shortness of breath or unbearable pain symptoms, continuous home care is a suitable solution. A nurse will come to stay with the patient for an extended time to ensure the patient’s overall comfort and holistic healing.

General Inpatient Care

Another type of hospice care available is general inpatient care. This type of care is at a more advanced level. When a patient’s needs have increased, a medical professional will likely advise them to move to inpatient care. This transition usually occurs if a patient’s symptoms and overall condition have become too severe to manage at home. Inpatient hospice care aims to get patients in a healthy enough state to return home. However, some patients choose to spend their final days in inpatient care if that is where they are most comfortable.

Respite Care

Respite care is the last type of hospice care available to you. This level of care is a more short-term option that a nurse provides on an occasional basis, depending on the patient’s needs. Respite care primarily serves as an opportunity for family members to get much-needed help caring for a loved one near the end of their life.

Now that you have educated yourself on the different types of hospice care available to you, you will be able to decide which level is right for you or your loved one. Make sure to consult with a medical professional if you have any questions or concerns regarding your decision.