Chapter Review Date (a) Respite care is short-term inpatient care provided to an individual only when necessary to relieve the family members or other persons caring for the individual at home.(b) Respite care can be provided by:(1) a hospice that meets the condition of participation for providing inpatient care directly; or(2) a hospital or nursing facility that also meets the Medicare standards regarding 24-hour nursing service and patient areas.(c) Respite care may be provided only on an occasional basis and may not be reimbursed for more than five consecutive days at a time.(d) Respite care may not be provided when the hospice patient is a nursing home resident.