Routine Care

The "routine" level of hospice care is provided where you reside, whether it be a private home, adult family home (AFH), assisted living facility (ALF) or skilled nursing facility (SNF).  This level of care includes the visits and phone calls you receive from your Hospice team members providing support, information, and education.  It is often the case that you may only need this level of hospice care.

Continuous Care

Continuous Care is the highest level of hospice care that a patient can receive in a home or residential care facility.  Continuous care is provided during periods of crisis in which a patient is experiencing symptoms that are unmanageable by routine care.  Such symptoms will require continuous nursing intervention (up to 24 hours per day) to achieve palliation and comfort.  During continuous care, nurses will remain bedside with the patient for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours a day, until symptoms are managed and comfort is ensured.

Respite Care

Respite Care is provided to patients for the purpose of allowing family members and caregivers a short (five-day) break from the duties of caregiving.  During respite care, patients are transferred to a contracted skilled nursing facility that will manage the care of the patient in conjunction with the hospice.  Respite Care is only provided on an occasional basis, for a maximum of five days in every certification period.

General Inpatient Care

General Inpatient Care (or GIP) care takes place if a patient experiences acute symptoms that cannot be safely managed in their home or other residential setting.  GIP care is provided by a skilled nursing facility, or a hospice inpatient unit where there is a 24 hour Registered Nurse available to manage these symptoms.  Once symptoms are under control, the patient will return to their home usually under the routine level of care.