If your loved one receiving hospice care is experiencing acute or worsening symptoms, you may feel unsure about what support is available. Hospice care at 3HC includes different levels of care specifically designed to meet changing patient needs, including what’s known as continuous hospice care. This specialized level of support provides short-term, around-the-clock medical attention to help manage acute symptoms and keep your loved one comfortable when they need more intensive care and monitoring.

In this article, we’ll explain continuous hospice care and when it’s necessary, address the goal of this elevated level of care and cover where it can be provided. 

At 3HC, we’re committed to providing expert, compassionate care while treating you like family. As a Medicare-certified hospice provider, 3HC provides all four levels of hospice care – routine home care, continuous home care, general inpatient care and respite care – to ensure we can meet the changing needs of your loved ones in the most appropriate setting. We invite you to get in touch with us to learn more and get care.

What is Continuous Hospice Care?

Continuous hospice care, also referred to as continuous home care, is one of the four Medicare-defined levels of hospice care. It is designed to manage acute symptoms, such as uncontrolled pain, severe respiratory distress, and other serious symptoms that require close observation and an elevated level of nursing support temporarily.

Unlike routine hospice visits, which provide scheduled, occasional support, continuous hospice care is delivered around-the-clock in your loved one’s home, usually for a duration of up to 24 hours. Nurses or hospice aides closely monitor symptoms and provide hands-on care during this time.

This level of care is usually short-term and focuses on stabilizing your loved one during a period of medical crisis. The goal is to get their symptoms under control to avoid hospitalization and allow them to remain at home. 

As previously mentioned, 3HC provides all four levels of hospice care – routine home care, continuous home care, general inpatient care and respite care. This allows us to deliver the appropriate level of care for your loved one as their needs change, no matter what their symptoms. 

When is Continuous Hospice Care Necessary?

Continuous hospice care may become necessary when your loved one’s symptoms worsen, and routine hospice visits are not sufficient to keep them comfortable. 

This higher level of hospice support may be triggered when your loved one experiences symptoms such as:

• Difficulty breathing
• Uncontrolled pain
• Repeated falls 
• Extreme anxiety or panic
• Persistent nausea and vomiting 
• Increased confusion, agitation or restlessness 
• Other sudden changes in condition

Continuous hospice care is not meant to be permanent around-the-clock care; it is designed to increase support and comfort during a temporary medical crisis. 

Once your loved one’s symptoms improve and they are stabilized and comfortable, they’ll usually go back to receiving routine hospice care. 

We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible if your loved one’s symptoms suddenly get worse or become challenging to manage.

What is the Goal of Continuous Hospice Care?

Continuous hospice care has both a medical and an emotional component. 

The primary goal of continuous hospice care is to provide comfort and around-the-clock symptom relief to your loved one during a period of acute distress, so they can become stable and remain in their home. 

This involves:

• Tending to pain and other serious symptoms 
• Stabilizing your loved one and keeping them comfortable during a brief crisis 
• Closely monitoring symptoms and making medication or treatment adjustments if necessary
• Preventing or reducing emergency room visits or hospitalization so your loved one can remain in familiar surroundings

Continuous hospice care also provides emotional support to family members and caregivers. 

Nurses and hospice staff can help you understand your loved one’s condition, explain changes, and answer questions about what to expect. The reassurance and peace of mind this offers can be invaluable during a difficult time. 

Where Can Continuous Hospice Care Be Provided?

Continuous hospice care is typically provided in your loved one’s home. This is often preferred because familiar surroundings can help reduce patient stress, anxiety and confusion and allow families to be involved in decision-making and care.

In some cases, continuous hospice care may be available in nursing homes, assisted living communities and long-term care facilities, depending on your loved one’s living situation.

If symptoms become too difficult to manage safely at home, the hospice care team may advise a temporary transition to inpatient hospice services until symptoms become stabilized. 

We will always work to provide the level of care that best meets your loved one’s needs in the safest and most appropriate setting. 

3HC: Expert, Compassionate Care When and Where You Need It Most

Continuous hospice care may be the right choice when your loved one’s symptoms become too severe to manage at home or in other circumstances when medical attention is needed around-the-clock for a brief period. Continuous hospice care exists specifically for these times of elevated crisis or increased need – you do not have to manage these difficult moments alone. 

3HC is a Medicare-certified hospice provider, which means we provide all four levels of hospice care – routine home care, continuous home care, general inpatient care and respite care. This allows us to adjust care and support levels based on your loved one’s symptoms, potential medical crises and caregiver capacity, while giving you peace of mind.

At 3HC, we’re committed to delivering exceptional care while treating you like family. We encourage you to get in touch with us to learn more and get care.