What are the Four Levels of Hospice in Missoula, Montana?

Understanding hospice in Missoula, Montana and everything it has to offer might help you make better decisions for loved ones when the time comes. Hospice care is appropriate for individuals with life-threatening illnesses or conditions. It takes a comprehensive approach, addressing the patient’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual requirements.

Hospice treatment is usually covered by the medical hospice benefit or another health insurance plan for most patients. This kind of care is divided into four levels by Medicare: routine home care, continuous home care, general inpatient care, and respite care. Depending on their requirements and wishes, a hospice patient may experience all four or just one.

Home Care

Once a patient has agreed to hospice in Missoula, Montana, they will receive routine care focused on maximizing their comfort and quality of life. Pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual counseling for the patient and family, daily task support, nutritional services, and therapies are just some examples of the services they will receive.

No matter if you live in a skilled nursing center, assisted living facility, memory care facility, or your own home, hospice care can be delivered regularly. Care will be provided as needed, depending on the exact needs.

Continuous Care

When a patient has a medical crisis or when their symptoms demand more extensive management, continuous hospice, also called crisis care, may be required. During a medical crisis, round-the-clock nursing or longer periods of nursing support benefit both the patient and the family, allowing caregivers to step back from hands-on care. This allows them to focus on spending time with their loved ones in a family role.

Inpatient Hospice Facility

If a patient’s symptoms are no longer manageable at home, inpatient hospice care service may be required. The goal in this situation is to reduce severe pain and stabilize symptoms for the patient to return home, if possible. Some patients may want to spend their final days in an inpatient facility so they can be with their loved ones in a neutral, safe environment.

Respite Care

A great thing about inpatient hospice facilities is they also provide respite care for home hospice patients. In addition to offering a much-needed break for loved ones providing care at home, these short-term stays allow patients to get adequate symptom management around the clock in a safe and secure environment.