Hospice Level 4: Respite Care

While the first three levels of hospice care all pertain to the patient’s level of need, level four is all about a caregiver’s needs. As expected by the definition of the word respite, this type of care allows caregivers to take a much-needed break to help prevent caregiver burnout and reduce stress.

‍

What is Respite Care?  

The word respite means to take a short moment of rest from hard work or something difficult. During respite care, the patient goes to an inpatient facility such as a hospital, hospice inpatient facility, or a nursing facility to give the primary caregivers a break. Patients can receive the same level of care and services they received in their home. Caregivers can use the break to rest, travel, attend to other family matters, or engage in whatever self-care activities are necessary for them to recharge.  

‍

Who Benefits from Respite Care?

You might think that only caregivers benefit from respite care, but that’s not true. In reality, the patient, caregivers, and the entire hospice team benefits.

‍

Caregivers

Caregiving takes a huge toll on a person’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. When you add in the fact that you’re caring for someone who isn’t going to get better, the stress can be overwhelming. Taking time to rest, even for just a few days, can help improve your well-being, resiliency, and caregiving abilities.  

‍

Being a caregiver also puts a strain on relationships with friends and family. Maybe you don’t have enough time to spend with friends, your marriage is in trouble, or you’re frustrated that more family members don’t help out. During a period of respite care, you can take time to mend those relationships and expand your support network.

‍

Is the thought of your loved one’s upcoming death too much to handle? Grief coaching can help.

‍

Patients

Patients benefit from respite care, too, especially those who live with stressed caregivers. Time away can provide the necessary space to help repair the relationship between patient and caregiver. It’s common for terminally-ill patients to feel like a burden, and it can influence the way they interact with others, especially their caregivers. Knowing that their caregiver is taking time to relax and enjoy life may help ease some of that guilt.

‍

Respite is also a nice change of pace for patients. You’re in a new facility, so you have the opportunity to see new surroundings and meet new people.

‍

The Hospice Team

If a caregiver suffers from burnout, the entire team can suffer. Caregivers play a crucial role in supporting the hospice care plan and keeping the patient as comfortable and happy as possible. When caregivers use respite care, it assures the hospice team that the caregiver can continue fulfilling their role in caring for the patient.

‍

When Can Caregivers Request Respite Care?

Simply put, you don’t need a specific event or reason to justify your need for respite care. Hospice teams understand the realities of caregiver stress and family caregiver burnout. In order to request respite care, you may want to speak with your loved one’s hospice care team to start the process. They will make the arrangements.

‍

For any upcoming trips or other reasons requiring respite, keep in mind that Medicare and other insurers only permit occasional respite care stays. If you need respite this week for a destination wedding, it may not be available as an option next month when you want to go out of town for your daughter’s graduation.

‍

How Long Can Patients Be in Respite Care?

Medicare only covers respite care stays for up to five days at a time, on an occasional basis. With that said, it doesn’t mean that a patient is limited to just five days. It simply means that Medicare only pays the full cost for five consecutive days. On the sixth day and onward, Medicare will only reimburse the facility at the routine home care rate, which leaves several hundred dollars per day for the patient to cover out-of-pocket.  

‍

Should Caregivers Take Advantage of Respite Care?  

Yes, very emphatically so. Many caregivers may feel guilty about needing a break. After all, you love your loved one, and you want to spend as much time as possible with them before they die. However, when caregivers take time to engage in self care, they’re able to be better caregivers in return.

‍

Grief takes a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Know the symptoms so that you’re prepared.  

‍

Sources

1. “Managing Medicare Hospice Respite Care” NHPCO.org, July 2021, https://crhcf.org/insights/what-is-hospice-respite-care/
2. “Medicare Benefit Policy Manual Chapter 9 - Coverage of Hospice Services Under Hospital Insurance.” Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), 21 October 2021, https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/Downloads/bp102c09.pdf