When Crisis Care Hospice is Needed

When Crisis Care Hospice is Needed

Crisis care postCrisis Hospice Care is a level of care offered for all terminal patients in a hospice program. It is one of four types of hospice care covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit. This is a type of care that is offered generally in shifts, or around the clock. It is generally provided in the home for brief periods of time (shifts usually) when the patient is experiencing an acute crisis. It is generally designed to honor a patient’s and family’s wish to remain at home, by providing the necessary care needed to control the patient’s acute symptoms, until the crisis is resolved or the patient passes peacefully.

When may Crisis Care Initiated ?

According, to the (CMS) regulations generally state: “Continuous home care may only be provided during a period of crisis as necessary to maintain an individual at home. A period of crisis is a period in which a patient requires continuous care that is predominantly nursing care to achieve palliation or management of acute medical symptoms.”

This type of care may also be provided in the patient’s home, or an assisted living facility. It is generally specific for home care patients, since the assisted living facilities have nursing available, generally 24/7. It is not appropriate for patients in the hospital, inpatient hospice unit, or skilled nursing facility.

Symptoms that may require crisis care?

Hospice crisis care is to alleviate uncontrolled symptoms in a time of acute crisis. Below are some examples of symptoms may include:

● Severe pain ( Intractable Pain )
● Bleeding
● Acute respiratory distress
● Intractable ( Uncontrollable ) vomiting or nausea
● Terminal agitation or restlessness

Hospice Crisis Care is a level of care offered for all terminal patients in a hospice program. It is one of four types of hospice care covered by the Medicare Hospice Benefit. This is a type of care that is offered generally in shifts, or around the clock. It is generally provided in the home for brief periods of time (shifts usually) when the patient is experiencing an acute crisis. It is generally designed to honor a patient’s and family’s wish to remain at home, by providing the necessary care needed to control the patient’s acute symptoms, until the crisis is resolved or the patient passes peacefully.

A hospice patient may be actively dying or imminent , however, if their symptoms are under control. They will not qualify for crisis care, under the CMS regulations and guidelines. Here at Angels Grace Hospice and Palliative Care, we can provide crisis care to our patients, under the qualifications according to CMS. Our goal at Angels Grace Hospice is to achieve a peaceful death with comfort, quality, and dignity.

At Angels Grace Hospice, in Bolingbrook, IL we provide customized care plans specific to each of patients and their families. We provide end-of-life care at home, hospitals, skilled nursing homes or assisted-living facilities depending on individual circumstances. Contact us with any questions and for further assistance with your end of life care options.