Respite Care at The Connecticut Hospice
Respite care at The Connecticut Hospice provides short-term, 24/7 inpatient care for hospice patients, giving caregivers time to rest while their loved one continues to receive expert support. Stays of up to five days take place in our calm, waterfront inpatient setting, designed for comfort and continuity of care.
During respite, patients receive the full range of hospice services and are cared for by experienced clinical staff around the clock. If care needs change, the team will help determine the most appropriate next step.
Respite Care Eligibility & Coverage
Respite care is short-term inpatient care intended specifically to relieve family members or others providing care at home. A caregiver must be actively involved in the patient’s care, and the need for respite is determined by the hospice care team.
- Respite care is covered under Medicare and Medicaid hospice benefits
- Respite stays can last for up to 5 days per Medicare hospice benefit period
- More than one respite period may be used as needed
- Private insurance coverage is accepted through Anthem
Note that after the first two 90-day certification periods, hospice benefit certification periods change to 60 days each. This allows for respite care for a maximum of 5 days in a 60-day period.
Care for Patients, Relief for Caregivers
Respite care provides short-term, hospital-based care for hospice patients when caregivers need time away from daily caregiving responsibilities.
This time may be needed for several reasons. Caregivers may seek respite care because:
- They have become physically or emotionally exhausted from providing 24/7 care to a loved one (also called “caregiver burnout”)
- They would like to attend an important family event, such as a wedding or graduation
- They are ill and need a break from care to let themselves recover
Respite care is provided in our waterfront inpatient facility in Branford. During a respite stay, patients receive continuous clinical care from an experienced interdisciplinary team in a supportive setting. Caregivers gain peace of mind knowing their loved one is safe and well cared for.
For many patients, a respite stay offers a gentle change of routine and ongoing comfort. For caregivers, it offers essential time to rest, recharge, and return to caregiving with renewed energy and confidence.
Other Benefits
- Respite care patients are provided with 24-hour care by on-site, specialized professionals.
- Respite care patients are entitled to ALL services a hospice benefit patient receives.
- A patient can transition from respite care to inpatient hospice, but they must have active, unmanaged symptoms that make them eligible for the higher level of hospice care.
- A patient cannot switch to palliative care if in respite care since he or she has to revoke the hospice benefit if seeking treatment.
Focusing on Patients, Not Profits, Since 1974.
Comprehensive Support Options
Medical Support Measures
Physician-guided care focused on pain relief and symptom management.
Pastoral Care and Spiritual Support
Support for reflection, meaning, or faith, regardless of beliefs or traditions.
Social Work
Guidance and emotional support as families navigate decisions, stress, and change.
Therapies (PT/OT/ST)
Home-based therapies that support safety, function, and independence.
Volunteer Support
Presence and companionship, often from those with personal hospice experience.
Different Locations.
One Approach to Care.
Whether at home, in skilled care or assisted living facilities, or at The Connecticut Hospice’s Branford hospital, we care for patients and families together—because serious illness affects everyone involved.
Our interdisciplinary team collaborates across care settings to support physical comfort and well-being while addressing emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
Care plans are tailored to each individual and adjusted as circumstances change, helping families feel supported, informed, and never alone throughout their journey.
Licensed, Certified, Accredited Hospital
Our 52-bed waterfront hospital is available to all our home care patients, as well as new patients referred by families or our community partners.
This facility provides 24/7 expert-level symptom management, including infused pain medications and rapid dose adjustments for patients whose symptoms cannot be managed at home.
Licensed, Certified, Accredited Home Care
Our home care services support patients in private homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities across all levels of palliative and hospice care.
Care is delivered by interdisciplinary teams focused on comfort, caregiver support, and continuity, allowing patients to remain at home whenever clinically appropriate.
Admissions
Admission to The Connecticut Hospice is a collaborative process guided by each patient’s needs and goals of care.
Our team works closely with patients, families, and referring providers to ensure the right level of support, in the right setting, at the right time.
A Comprehensive Approach
At The Connecticut Hospice, families and caregivers are an essential part of the care experience. That’s why we support patients and the people who love them together.
Care plans are shaped around shared goals, personal needs, and what matters most in daily life. Our interdisciplinary team works across settings and services to ensure care is coordinated, responsive, and attentive to the emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of everyone involved.
We help bring clarity and compassion to serious illness, so patients and loved ones can focus on the moments that matter most.
How Can We Help?
Make a Donation
As a local not-for-profit, The Connecticut Hospice relies on donor support to provide individualized services and therapies not fully covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance.
Your generosity helps ensure that every patient and family receives the care, comfort, and support they need, regardless of circumstances.