What is Hospice Respite Care?
Respite care is short-term relief for in-home hospice caregivers. Medicare benefits pay for patient transport and up to five consecutive days of inpatient care at a Medicare-approved nursing facility or hospital. You can get respite care more than once, but only on an occasional basis.
Hospice respite enables the caregiver to rest and recover from the demands of daily in-home care. Respite care is also appropriate when a patient’s medical condition warrants a short-term inpatient stay for pain or other symptoms that cannot be managed at home.
Medicare guidelines allow for more than one respite occurrence, with each respite lasting no more than five days in a row. The five-days of respite include the day of admission, but not the day of discharge.
Reasons for a respite care request include:
- You are physically or emotionally exhausted
- Caregivers needing help with complex pain or other symptoms
- You would like to attend an important or required life event
- You are ill and need time to recover
When considering respite
- Care must be prearranged and approved by the hospice provider.
- Continuous home care is not Medicare approved as respite care.
- Hospice respite is not generally appropriate for patients in a nursing facility with24/7 care.
- Talk with your hospice provider about Medicare respite rules. They have experience with the complex Medicare and state rules regarding hospice respite care.
Benefits of hospice respite care for family caregivers
Family members who take time to rest and recover are better hospice caregivers. They suffer less burnout and have more energy to devote to loved ones.
Restoration comes from knowing your source of joy so you can share that comfort with others. Sometimes it’s giving yourself permission to rediscover a hobby or try a new one. Reconnecting with friends can recharge your soul.
