What are the Four Levels of Hospice Care?
An elder care placement agency is designed to match seniors with the care and living arrangement that serves their needs, providing expert recommendations for a variety of communities and facilities including continuous care. Typically, an agency consultant will meet with the senior and their family to discuss specific medical needs, preferred living arrangements, budget, location, and other factors. After the consultant has gathered pertinent details, they review their network of senior communities and facilities to find what adequately suits the individual’s variety of needs and wants. The consultant shares their recommendations with the family, and can then support them in the enrollment process and overall transition.
Hospice care is traditionally categorized according to four distinct levels, a system first developed by Medicare. Depending on the situation, a patient may pass through all four levels throughout their time in hospice or may remain in just one level until the end of their life.
Every hospice care service or facility certified by Medicare is required to provide all four of the following levels of hospice care: