Are you the primary caregiver to a hospice patient in Virginia Beach?
As you no doubt already know, taking on the responsibility of a loved one’s care is physically, mentally and emotionally draining. You need to make sure their needs are being met at all times, while also juggling chores and daily duties at their home and your own. And it goes without saying that the uncertainties that surround the end of life make the situation incredibly stressful.
While your loved one needs your support, it’s important for you to take care of yourself, too. One way to do that is to take advantage of hospice respite care, a service that is available by request from a certified Medicare hospice care agency.
What Is Hospice Respite Care?
Respite care allows family caregivers of Virginia Beach hospice patients to take time for themselves. The service offers short-term relief from the day-to-day demands of caregiving – and by taking a break, caregivers can avoid burnout and regain balance in their personal lives.
When you make a request for respite care, your loved one’s hospice care team will arrange for around-the-clock assistance. With a Medicare hospice care agency, in-patient respite may be provided at an approved local hospice facility, hospital or skilled nursing facility. In any case, while you rest, recharge and focus on your own health and well-being, you’ll have the peace of mind in knowing that the person you hold dear is getting the proper care.
Does Medicare Cover Respite Care?
Although the Medicare hospice benefit covers the cost of hospice care at home for those who qualify, in-patient respite is a different story. For this service to be covered, it must take place at an approved facility – and the home of a Virginia Beach hospice patient isn’t an acceptable location.
Coverage for hospice services from a certified Medicare hospice care agency is broken into benefit periods. Patients can receive hospice care for two 90-day periods, then for an unlimited number of 60-day periods. As a primary caregiver, you can make use of hospice respite care once during each benefit period. Each time, Medicare will cover your loved one’s stay at a local facility for up to five consecutive days. However, with in-patient respite, there may be a minimal cost to the family.
When Is Hospice Respite Care Appropriate?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services doesn’t have an official list of situations that call for hospice respite care. As such, acceptance of a request for in-patient respite is at the discretion of the certified Medicare hospice care agency that is providing hospice services.
Under the Medicare hospice benefit, patients and their caregivers have the right to request a break when one is needed. Given the challenges of caregiving, you might want to arrange for hospice respite care for any number of reasons, such as the opportunity to:
- Take a few days off to relax, without worrying about your loved one’s needs
- Focus on your own wellness, if you’ve been ill or suffering a lack of sleep
- Enjoy simple pleasures, so that you can return with renewed energy
- Attend a wedding, graduation, retirement party or other important life event
With an approved Medicare hospice care agency, the overall plan of care remains unchanged during an in-patient respite stay. Your loved one will receive the same services at the same frequency, so their experience will like that with hospice care at home, just in a different setting.
Why Take Advantage of Hospice Respite Care?
By requesting hospice respite care, you’ll be able to be at your best when your loved one needs you. Some of the biggest benefits caregivers see as a result of arranging for in-patient respite include:
- Improved sleep and increased energy
- Reduced levels of stress and strain
- A more positive outlook and mood
While it may seem as if respite care is only beneficial for caregivers, that’s not the case. Virginia Beach hospice patients also have much to gain – to the terminally ill, the upsides of a respite stay include:
- Reduced guilt over requiring you to provide care week in and week out
- Enjoying an improved relationship with you after spending time apart
- The chance for more social interaction, conversation and excitement
Receiving hospice care at home, surrounded by family and their cherished belongings, is likely what your loved one prefers. But everyone needs a break now and then, and with in-patient respite, both of you can come back feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy your remaining time together.
Advice for Caregivers of Hospice Patients
Uneasy about the idea of requesting hospice respite care? Many caregivers feel that way, but you have every reason to ask for help – you’ve taken on a very difficult job, and to take good care of your loved one, you need to take care of yourself.
If you’re worried about leaving your loved one to be cared for others, the following tips may help:
- Plan respite stays in advance to give yourself time to anticipate the break
- Create checklists for crucial information, such as bathing and grooming habits
- Keep an open line of communication with the hospice team and facility staff
Would you like more information about hospice respite care in Virginia Beach? Suncrest Hospice, an approved local Medicare hospice care agency, is here to help – contact us today!
