When a family begins to explore hospice, they often encounter new terms and concepts during a deeply emotional time. One of the most important things to understand is that hospice isn’t a single, one-size-fits-all service. Instead, it is a philosophy of care delivered through different levels, designed to meet the specific needs of a patient as their illness progresses. The most common of these is Routine Home Care.
This level of care forms the foundation of the hospice experience for the majority of patients and their families. It is designed to provide comfort, manage symptoms, and offer spiritual and emotional support in the place the patient calls home. Understanding what Routine Home Care includes can help families feel more prepared and confident in the journey ahead.
What is Routine Home Care?
Routine Home Care is the standard level of hospice care provided to patients whose symptoms are stable and manageable. As confirmed by Medicare and leading hospice providers, this is the most common level of care in hospice. The “home” in Routine Home Care is defined by the patient—it can be their private residence, a family member’s house, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. The core principle is to bring comprehensive, compassionate care to the patient in a familiar and comfortable environment.
Care is delivered through intermittent visits from an expert team. It is not 24/7 in-home nursing, but rather a coordinated support system that empowers family caregivers. The goal is to manage pain and other symptoms effectively, allowing the patient to live with dignity and the best possible quality of life.
The Interdisciplinary Hospice Team
The strength of Routine Home Care lies in its team-based approach. A dedicated, interdisciplinary team of care providers works together to create and manage a personalized care plan that addresses the patient’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This team becomes a vital resource for the entire family.
Your ViaQuest Hospice team typically includes:
- Nurse Case Manager: A registered nurse who coordinates the plan of care, makes regular visits to manage symptoms, and serves as the main point of contact for the family and physician.
- Hospice Aide: A certified aide who assists with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, and light meal preparation, preserving the patient’s comfort and dignity.
- Medical Social Worker: A professional who provides emotional support, counseling, and assistance with practical matters like advance directives or connecting with community resources.
- Spiritual Care Coordinator: A chaplain or spiritual guide who offers support tailored to the patient’s and family’s beliefs, helping to navigate questions of meaning and hope.
- Volunteers: Trained companions who can offer respite for caregivers, read to the patient, or simply provide a comforting presence.
- Bereavement Coordinator: A specialist who provides grief support and counseling to the family for up to 13 months after their loved one’s passing.
Services Included in Routine Home Care
Under the Routine Home Care level, all services, medications, and equipment related to the terminal diagnosis are covered. This comprehensive support is intended to relieve the burden on families, so they can focus on spending meaningful time together. Key services include:
- Regularly scheduled nursing visits for symptom assessment and management.
- All medications needed for pain relief and symptom control.
- Medical equipment (like a hospital bed, oxygen, or wheelchair) and supplies.
- Education and training for family caregivers on how to provide care confidently.
- Emotional and psychosocial support for both the patient and their loved ones.
- Access to a nurse 24/7 for any urgent questions or needs that may arise between visits.
Routine Home Care provides a circle of support that honors the patient’s wishes to remain in a familiar setting. It is a partnership between the hospice team and the family, built on a shared goal: to ensure every moment matters.
If you have questions about hospice or want to understand how Routine Home Care can support your family, the compassionate team at ViaQuest is here to help. Call us at 855.289.1722 to speak with a care coordinator.
You can also gain a deeper understanding of the entire process by downloading our Complete Guide to Hospice Care for comprehensive information about services and support available.
Key Takeaways
- Routine Home Care is the most common level of hospice care, provided wherever the patient calls home.
- It is designed for patients with stable, manageable symptoms and is delivered through intermittent visits from a care team.
- Care is provided by an interdisciplinary team, including nurses, aides, social workers, and spiritual coordinators, who work together to support the patient and family.
