Hospice Care Basics
Levels of hospice care, explained
Learn how routine home care, respite care, and continuous home care may be used within hospice, with coverage limits and questions for families.
A hospice care level is not a package selected in advance. The hospice team evaluates the patient’s needs, care setting, and plan before determining which level applies at a given time.
This guide focuses on three care levels relevant to home and caregiver guidance rather than all Medicare levels. It does not present them as the only levels defined under the Medicare hospice benefit.
Routine home care
Routine home care applies when a patient receives hospice where they live and does not meet criteria for another level. Home may be a private residence, assisted living community, nursing facility, or another residence.
The individualized plan may include scheduled nursing or aide visits, symptom support, related medicines, supplies, equipment, social work, or spiritual care. Services and visit timing depend on assessed needs and benefit rules.
Respite care
Respite care gives the patient’s usual caregiver a short break. Under the Medicare hospice benefit, the hospice team may arrange a stay in an approved inpatient setting for up to five consecutive days at a time.
The team determines whether respite is appropriate and coordinates the stay. Respite is for caregiver relief, not emergency treatment, long-term placement, or routine room and board.
Continuous home care
Continuous home care may apply during a short-term crisis when a patient needs intensive hospice support where they live. CMS describes it as care that consists mainly of nursing during a crisis period.
It is not a standing promise of round-the-clock caregiving. The hospice team assesses whether the criteria are met, how long the level remains appropriate, and when the plan should change.
Families should call when symptoms change or caregiving becomes unsafe rather than trying to select a care level themselves.
- Call the hospice team promptly for new or worsening pain, breathing changes, agitation, nausea, falls, or a caregiver who feels unable to continue safely.
- Describe what has changed, when it began, and what has already been tried.
- Ask whether the current plan can be adjusted where the patient lives or whether a different hospice level should be evaluated.
- Ask who will coordinate medications, equipment, transport, or facility communication if the plan changes.
- Keep the hospice after-hours number easy to find.
Caritas currently serves the Fort Worth area while Dallas-area expansion is underway.
Families can ask about the hospice plan and confirm current service availability; a call does not promise eligibility, admission, coverage, or a particular level of care.
About this guide
Written by Caritas Hospice Editorial Team
Published August 6, 2026 · Last updated August 19, 2026
This article is for general educational information and does not replace medical advice or an individual hospice eligibility assessment.