The four levels of hospice care are listed below:

ROUTINE CARE:  Care provided at home by the family or caregiver, assisted by the Hospice staff. The term home refers to wherever the patient lives (private residence, nursing home, assisted living facility, etc.).

RESPITE CARE: Care provided in a skilled facility for five consecutive days for the purpose of giving caregivers a break. Hospice continues to manage patient care as if the patient were at home, allowing families and/or caregivers to rest and recuperate. Care must be received in a facility with which Spanish Oaks Hospice has a legal contract for services.

CONTINUOUS CARE:  Care provided in the home to manage pain and other symptoms during periods when a person develops symptoms the Hospice may consider a crisis.  Care is provided mostly by nurses, assisted by other staff, for periods of 8 to 24 hours per day.

This is done for very short time periods (generally 3-5 days). The goal of continuous care is to manage UNCONTROLLED symptoms and prevent hospitalization.

GENERAL INPATIENT CARE:  Care provided in a skilled facility when pain or other symptoms cannot be safely managed or controlled in the home. Care must be received in a facility with which Spanish Oaks Hospice has a legal contract for services. When symptoms are controlled, the patient returns to their place of residence.