Specialized & Alternative Care

A set of specialized support options—like home care, respite, adult day services, palliative care, and hospice—that can supplement or replace facility-based care.

Home care is non-medical help with daily tasks (cooking, cleaning, bathing)—typically private pay. Home health is skilled clinical care ordered by a doctor (nursing, wound care, therapy)—often covered by Medicare.

Medicare covers medically necessary *skilled* home health services for a limited time. It does NOT cover long-term non-medical caregiving (custodial care). You'd pay privately or through Medicaid waivers.

Short-term relief for family caregivers. It can be provided at home by an aide, at an adult day program, or as a temporary stay in a senior living facility. Some Medicaid waivers and VA programs help cover costs.

Palliative care manages symptoms at *any* stage of serious illness, alongside treatment. Hospice is comfort care near end-of-life (typically 6 months or less life expectancy) when treatment stops.

Hospice is a service, not a place. It can be delivered at home, in assisted living, memory care, nursing homes, or dedicated hospice facilities. The team comes to you.

When a serious illness is advancing and the focus shifts from cure to comfort, or when a doctor believes life expectancy is limited. Talk with the care team about eligibility and goals.

Nursing visits, medications for comfort, medical equipment (hospital bed, oxygen), home aides, social work, chaplain services, and bereavement support for families—usually at $0 cost.