When it comes to the end-of-life journey, knowledge is the key to enjoying every moment to the fullest. Finding out how hospice care works in Philadelphia can empower you to make good decisions for yourself and your loved ones in the future.
Hospice is a compassionate approach to care for individuals facing life-limiting illnesses, and anyone who is expected to live for six months or less and has no interest in seeking further curative treatment is eligible. Patients with cancer, congestive heart failure, emphysema, multiple sclerosis, stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, neurological disease or any other terminal condition can take advantage of hospice care, and the cost is covered by Medicare, the Pennsylvania Medical Assistance (Medicaid) program, military benefits and most private insurance plans.
As medical situations can change at any time, Philadelphia hospice agencies offer four levels of care, each of which addresses specific needs. Read on to learn more.
Hospice Care Overview
Many people equate the term hospice with giving up hope, but hospice care is more about making the most of whatever time remains. Accepting services doesn’t mean that death is imminent – it simply means that the end is drawing near. A six-month prognosis is required, but patients can remain in hospice care for as long as they are eligible.
In hospice, the focus is on comfort and quality of life, and a team of skilled professionals, including doctors, nurses and therapists, support the patient and their loved ones. The plan of care is customized to provide pain and symptom management, mental and emotional comfort, spiritual guidance, bereavement care and other suitable services. Durable medical equipment, medical supplies and medication are also provided.
Hospice agencies like Suncrest of Philadelphia do all they can to help patients experience joy throughout the end-of-life journey, and as we mentioned, the costs are covered. Care is most often provided in the comfort of a patient’s own home or wherever they currently live, but patients can receive services at a hospital or a local hospice facility.
The Four Levels of Hospice Care
Due to the diverse and ever-changing needs of individuals with life-limiting illnesses, Medicare requires hospice agencies to provide four levels of care. The same is true for the Pennsylvania Medical Assistance program, the Veterans Administration, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Tricare through the Department of Defense and most private insurance plans.
Patients may begin a day at one level, then transition to another level later on as their needs change. That’s totally fine, as Philadelphia hospice agencies are equipped to pivot on a moment’s notice.
So, what are the four levels of hospice that Medicare-certified care providers are required to offer? Here’s a brief look at each one.
Routine Home Care
The most common level of hospice care, routine home care (RHC) is provided at the patient’s home or wherever they happen to live. Nurses, therapists, aides and trained volunteers stop by on a regular basis to help manage symptoms and offer support, and while the scheduled visits are routine, the family can always call if additional assistance is needed.
Continuous Home Care
When a patient’s symptoms require more focused attention from skilled professionals, continuous home care (CHC) is often the answer. Hospice nurses work in shifts to avert the medical crisis, staying in the home until the individual is stable. This level of care is designed to get pain, shortness of breath, nausea and other troubling symptoms under control.
General In-Patient Care
Sometimes a patient’s symptoms are too difficult to manage at home, even with around-the-clock support from hospice nurses. In this situation, general in-patient care (GIP) is provided, typically at a Philadelphia hospital or a local skilled nursing facility. Like the CHC level of care, the goal here is to help the individual become stable enough to go back home.
In-Patient Respite Care
For family caregivers, attending to the needs of a loved one with a life-limiting illness can be quite the challenge. To provide them with an occasional break, Medicare-certified hospice agencies offer in-patient respite care (IRC). The patient transfers to the GIP level of care for a period of up to five days, and caregivers are released from their regular duties.
Who Decides Which Level of Hospice Care is Appropriate?
At the start, the hospice physician and nursing team conduct an evaluation of the patient to determine which level of care is the right choice. In the majority of cases, RHC is initially appropriate. As time goes on, the interdisciplinary hospice team keeps tabs on the situation, and CHC, GIP, and IRC are considered whenever symptoms or needs change.
However, anytime the patient or a loved one sees a need to update the level of care provided, they shouldn’t hesitate to bring up their concerns. As the hospice team isn’t always there, families are encouraged to be proactive in regards to the patient’s status.
At Suncrest Hospice of Philadelphia, no matter which level of hospice care a patient receives, our goal of providing exceptional support and respecting the unique wishes of everyone involved never changes. For more information on the services we provide, or to schedule a consultation to discuss hospice care for a loved one in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, contact us today.
