What is respite care in hospice?

Respite care is a short-term inpatient stay designed specifically to give family caregivers a break from the demands of around-the-clock caregiving. Under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, patients may receive up to five consecutive days of respite care in a Medicare-certified inpatient facility, such as a nursing home or hospice inpatient unit.

During a respite stay, the hospice team continues to oversee the patient's care and ensures comfort and safety. The move is temporary, and the patient returns home after the respite period ends. Families may use this time to rest, travel for a necessary commitment, attend to personal health needs, or simply recharge.

Caregiver burnout is a real and serious risk in hospice. When a caregiver is exhausted, their ability to provide compassionate, attentive care diminishes, and their own health can suffer. Respite care exists specifically to prevent this outcome. If you feel that you or another family caregiver needs a break, please talk to your hospice nurse or social worker. Using this benefit is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of wisdom.