Comfort of your Own home.

Levels of Care

At Golden Rule Hospice, we offer five levels of care. These include the four levels of care that Medicare covers, along with an additional level of care called Transitional Care.

1. Routine Home Care

One of our goals at Golden Rule is to ensure that our patients can spend as much time at home as possible.

With Routine Home Care, our interdisciplinary team visits the patient in their residence. That might be their home, your home, an assisted living facility, a nursing home, or another location.

We administer care at home so that patients can stay where they feel safest and most at ease with minimal disruptions.

2. Continuous Care

This level of care also takes place in the patient’s home. Whereas routine home care is about the management of daily symptoms and needs, Continuous Care is what we provide during a medical crisis.

What constitutes a crisis is based on Medicare’s definitions, since Medicare covers the cost of this level of care.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations state: “Continuous home care may only be provided during a period of crisis, as necessary to maintain an individual at home. A period of crisis is a period in which a patient requires continuous care that is predominantly nursing care to achieve palliation or management of acute medical symptoms.”

Symptoms which call for continuous care include:

  • Severe unmanageable pain
  • Bleeding from various orifices
  • Acute respiratory distress that cannot be managed with medications
  • Unrelenting nausea and vomiting
  • Terminal agitation or restlessness

During each 24-hour period, we administer care for a minimum of 8 hours. This is a short-term service, unlike Routine Care and is revisited every 24 hours.

Continuous Care is one of two levels of care that fall into the category of “Supportive Care.” The other is Transitional Care.

3. Respite Care

Respite is a service in which the patient is placed in a contracted nursing facility, contracted hospital, or an inpatient facility, for up to 5 consecutive days.

This type of care allows the caregiver to rest. It also allows the caregiver to fulfill obligations that may take them out of town or provide time for healing, if they encounter a medical emergency.

Finally, burnout provides sufficient grounds to request Respite Care. Caregiver burnout and compassion fatigue can have serious health consequences for both caretaker and dependent. For that reason, Respite Care is available to offer a much-needed break.

4. In-Patient Care

At times, it may be necessary for a patient to be treated in a clinical setting, such as a contracted hospital, contracted nursing facility, or an in-patient facility. In-patient care usually lasts 8 days or less.

With In-Patient Care, our goal is to get the patient’s symptoms under control so that they can return to at-home care.

Here are some symptoms which would warrant in-patient care:

  • Severe acute pain that cannot be controlled outside a clinical setting
  • Nausea and vomiting that cannot be controlled outside a clinical setting
  • Respiratory distress requiring clinical intervention
  • Continuous or complex wound care
  • Seizures that are uncontrolled

Those are just some examples. There are other cases that necessitate In-Patient Care as well.

Golden Rule uses In-Patient Care facilities that offer peaceful, comfortable environments for patients. Homey, inviting settings and caring staff help patients to feel as “at home” as possible while they are under In-Patient care.

Transitional Care

Transitional Care is a benefit unique to Golden Rule Hospice. Routine Home Care, Continuous Care, Respite Care, and In-Patient Care are all covered by the Hospice Medicare benefit. At Golden Rule Hospice, we know that there will be times when additional supportive care is needed. When we identify that a hospice patient is actively declining and they do not qualify for Continuous Care under CMS’ regulation but additional support is needed, Transitional Care is initiated.

Here are some examples of types of decline that may make Transitional Care an option:

  • An unarousable or comatose state
  • A decrease in vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, and irregular respirations)
  • An increase in temperature
  • A decrease in urine output

Should one of these types of decline take place, we contact the family and ask whether they would like to receive support through our Transitional Care program.

Transitional Care is not a reimbursable level of care. It is strictly a supportive care service by Golden Rule Hospice. Support is often provided by a certified nursing assistant.

The goal of Supportive Care is to ensure that our patients transition with peace and dignity and the family can focus on their loved ones.

Golden Rule Hospice Caring Staff in Alpharetta GA

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See What Our Clients Are Saying About Us!

Golden Rule Hospice has been such a blessing to my family. I will be eternally grateful to Vivian Robinson for the exceptional care she has given my 95 year old father and my 93 year old mother. Vivian is a skilled professional who is warm, caring , nurturing and compassionate but most importantly, my parents love her.
Golden Rule is AMAZING! From the first phone call to Bobbi Love, we knew Golden Rule was the right choice for our Mama. Little did we know how awesome Penny Crews and her team would be. What a blessing! Penny became our family. She was so sweet to Mama and would sit and hold Mama’s hand and discuss anything Mama was feeling - from medicines to fears and everything in between. Charlotte was so precious giving Mama her bath and fixing her hair- Mamas favorite thing. Mama loved singing hymns with Regina. Sunday would be our nurse on the weekends and after hours- and what a treasure he was. Mama was in Penny’s (Golden Rule) care for about 6 months until she passed away. Penny came to her visitation. There are no words to describe how much Golden Rule, Penny Crews and her team meant (and still mean) to us and what a positive affect they had on the end of my Precious Mama’s life and on our family. Thank you SOOO MUCH!
Every step of the way, everyone has been so nice and caring. They have treated my Dad with exceptional care. Very grateful to have this care for him.
Vivian Robinson, is my grandfather’s caregiver @Montclair and has been providing excellent care. Per his report, “She has been providing excellent care in all hygiene, feeding, and ADL care on a daily basis. She has been a great people person and has communicated with me in a way that has made me feel cared for and supported.”
Excellent experience in our time of need and on very short notice. Unbelievable attention to detail and follow-up was shown by their sincere, experienced and dedicated professionals. Every representative of this organization expressed concern for our well being. Highly recommend this organization to anyone needing this type of assistance.
Vivian Robinson is my father's caregiver and she is amazing. His health has improved dramatically since she has been working with him.
We had a wonderful experience with Golden Rule Hospice. I can't say enough wonderful things about our nurse, Meghan Moore. She was extremely attentive, caring, and responsive during our time with Golden Rule. She made sure our transition off of hospice was incredibly smooth as well, along with the office staff. She is a true gem and I highly recommend GR.
Vivian Robinson is a very excellent CNA. I've worked with her a little over 6 years. Very great personality, very compassionate and patient care centered. Always go the extra miles and leave her clients smiling. Golden Rule is very fortunate to have a CNA like her. Golden Rule thank you for all your services 💜
I worked with Samara at Holbrook she always come to work in good sprit ready to work she’s a hard working person very reliable when every you asked her for helps she never tells you no! She take very good care of her patients!
Samara is dedicated caring and loving hospice aide. I notice she goes above and beyond for her patients, they are lucky to have her! She is a good asset to her Company. Good Job Samara! Good Job Golden Rule Hospice!!!
Samara is so great with patients makes them feel part of her family. She is the best ever!! We absolutely adore here!
We had a wonderful experience with Golden Rule Hospice throughout my dad’s illness and especially in his last difficult days. Vivian R was top -rate - a consistent, loving presence for dad and for my sister and I. From the nursing staff, social worker, amd chaplain staff, Golden Rule made this tough time a little easier.
Golden Rule Hospice was by our side during the most difficult time near my fathers end of life. I live out of town and they kept me constantly updated about his condition and made sure I made it to see him before his transition. Vivian Robinson was compassionate and caring when my family needed it the most. The professional and caring staff at Golden Rule are angels on earth.
Shout out to Chandra Anderson for being a awesome hard worker . She’s very sweet and caring with her patients.
The hospice Aide Samara Whynn is caring, attentive and very compassionate, great at problem solving and makes everyone comfortable around her.
Shamille R. is a pleasure to work with! She is competent with everything she does for me and answers my questions clearly.Helen J.
We wanted to express our heartfelt thanks to Minnie Baker. Thank you for taking great care of Richard Tucker, Jr. during his in-home hospice care and last days of his transition. You are incredibly kind, compassionate, hard worker and professional person of whom Golden Rule Hospice should be proud. We highly recommend her because she care about her patients and their well-being.Thank you,Mrs. Barbara Tucker and Family
I've worked with Golden Rule Hospice for over 7 years now. I'm currently the Administrator at Montclair Personal Care Home. Vivian R. is one of the most caring, professional, and patient CNA I've had the pleasure of working with. She exemplifies excellence and love for the work that she does. It's a pleasure working with Vivian R. -Golden Rule Hospice.
Minnie comes every MWF and is an extremely hard working and delightful nurse. I am very thankful for Golden Rule and Minnie!
The CNA Chandra Anderson is an outstanding worker. She takes pride in her work while working with her patients making sure they are well treated and taken care of
Samara is a great addition to Golden Rule Hospice, she’s compassionate, dedicated, and patient. Thanks for all you do, Samara and continue to effortlessly brighten the day of the families you interact with.
I am the MCC at Brickmont of Roswell, I have been working with Golden Rule Hospice for a few months, I am impressed and pleased by the way they do things, they are very professional. Overall I am satisfied with their service. Vivian R my staff is pleased with the service that you provide, you are a hard worker and it shows with every visit.
I absolutely love Vivian Robinson! She is the most amazing person you could ever meet! Vivian takes great care of our residents here at Legacy Ridge at Marietta! She never falls short on care! She always communicates with me and my team! The residents love her so much! Golden Rule has a winner with Vivian!Signed a happy Executive Director!🥰
The entire Hospice team was absolutely wonder in how they cared for my friend, Miss Elaine J. Her Hospice caregiver, Vivian R. was very caring and compassionate as she came in to bathe and dress her. Vivian always took her time and never rushed to complete her tasks, even going beyond what was expected.
I am a staff member at Atria North Point. I am writing this message for Ms. Ernest Reyon because it’s hard for her to type on the phone. She has appreciated the Excellent Care V. Robinson has provided. Resident mentioned “ I Love her personality and wit. And she makes me laugh. The conversation we have, are wonderful! I also love my nurse Penny. She makes sure I have everything I need.” Thank you Golden Rule!
V. Robinson. Is the hospice aide at Phoenix at Milton she takes good care of her residents. They look good and smell good she is amazing. The whole team is great. Golden Rule Hospice is at the top of my list.
Thank You! It's hard to put into words the care that Nurse Vivian R. and the members of the hospice team provide each and every day. The professional care, service and human side of Vivian's R. work was demonstrated on multiple levels. It is without a doubt that the latter months of care for JG was more than one could have expected. I am thankful for your work as well as the staff that provides care daily to their patients and the family members - Thank You.
Vivian Robinson has been assisting my uncle Rodger for a while now. I get updates after each visit. Everyone at Golden Rule Hospice has been very helpful, from getting started, to the regular ongoing care my uncle is receiving today. I would highly recommend them to anyone.
Would like express that Vivian Robinson Hospice Aide gave excellent care to my residents here at Golden Rose Pch!! Thanks to Golden Rule Hospice for sending Vivian!!
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Golden Rule Hospice provides more support in the last 7 days of life than 90% of area hospices. We were voted the best hospice in Alpharetta in 2019.

With our five levels of care, our compassionate team is ready to provide the considerate and dignified treatment your loved one needs in any situation.

To find out how we can help now, please call (470) 395-6567 to set up your consultation.

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