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Levels of Hospice Care

Respite Care

Respite care is available to enrolled hospice patients when their caregiver needs a break from their caregiving duties.  Respite care is available in 5-day increments and is covered under Medicare, Medicaid and by some private insurances.  If a patient is currently enrolled in any Hospice program, they can speak to their Hospice Social Worker or primary Case Manager about scheduling a respite stay at our Inpatient Solace Center. Some examples for provision of respite care may include:

• The caregiver is physically and emotionally exhausted from caring 24/7 for the patient and requires a break.

• The caregiver would like to attend a family event, such as a wedding, graduation, or other event.

• The caregiver is ill and needs a break from patient care to recover.

For more information on respite care, please call 828-255-0231.

General Inpatient Care

General Inpatient Care, or GIP care, is available for terminally ill patients experiencing a need for symptom management of acute pain, agitation, respiratory distress or other ailments causing suffering to the patient.  Potential GIP patients must meet hospice eligibility criteria for admission, if they are not already enrolled in a hospice program.  The goal of GIP care is to provide care and medication management that is above what could be provided at home, in order to resolve the uncontrolled symptoms that are causing distress.  If a patient’s symptoms become better managed, a safe discharge plan will be developed by working with the patient’s care team, the patient and their caregiver.  If the patient is unable to safely discharge from Solace, transitional care may be an option.

For more information on general inpatient care, please call 828-255-0231.

Transitional Care

Transitional Care, or Residential Care, is a longer-term option for patients that meet general hospice eligibility criteria, but that do not meet general inpatient hospice criteria.  The patient’s symptoms are well managed with their current plan of care, but they may choose to remain at Solace, versus another discharge plan (such as returning home, moving into a family member’s home, to a facility, etc.)  There is a daily room and board charge of $500.  Availability of rooms and length of stay is determined by the Hospice care team; higher skill need patients are typically prioritized as Solace currently has two assigned Transitional care beds which may be used at any given time.  The Solace team is available to discuss options if beds are not available and will assist with nursing facility placement, if necessary. If a person in the community who is not currently under Hospice services wishes to pursue inpatient opportunities, a Hospice nurse will come to the home and evaluate them for eligibility criteria.  If Hospice services are appropriate for that individual, CarePartners staff will admit the person and have a discussion with the patient, family, Medical Director and Solace team on placement options.

For more information on transitional care, please call 828-255-0231.