Want to learn how to make empowered care decisions for yourself or your loved ones?
Hospice care and palliative care services get mixed up by many people. At a glance, they seem to overlap in many ways. However, once you understand the difference it can shift your perspective on quality of life.
Here’s the deal…
These care services have two completely different purposes. And understanding when to utilize each will help you make one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make for your health.
What you’ll learn:
- What Is Palliative Care?
- What Is Hospice Care?
- What Are The Main Differences?
- How To Select Between Hospice And Palliative Care
- Where Patients Can Receive Care
What Is Palliative Care?
This type of care is used to recover excellence of life for people facing a serious illness.
Palliative care can begin at diagnosis and alongside other treatments. The goal is to provide relief from the symptoms and pressure of a serious illness.
Let’s look at it this way…
Palliative care is used with curative treatments. This means someone can receive chemotherapy, radiation, and other traditional treatments while also receiving palliative care.
Typically, this care is administered by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers and other authorities. The teams goal is to help with pain, nausea, fatigue and emotional distress. Many families have found working with hospice and palliative care services beneficial when making these tough decisions.
But there’s something you should know…
40 million people require palliative care each year according to the World Health Organization. But only 14% of patients that need these services actually receive them.
Patients that do elect to use palliative care though receive a much better quality of life.
What Is Hospice Care?
Hospice care services treat people at the end of their lives.
Typically, this care is only used when there are no curative treatments left or if they’re no longer desired. Hospice care is for persons who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have approximately six months or less to live.
Think about it…
Hospice patients generally stop curative care for their terminal illness. They’ll then receive care to help manage comfort during their remaining time.
This type of care includes the medical care and pain management for patients during their final days. Emotional and spiritual support are also provided by this type of care. Many hospice care providers also offer care for family members before death and after.
Here are some facts…
In FY 2024, hospice care was provided to 1.8 million Medicare beneficiaries nationwide. This proves just how common this option has become.
Also, approximately 66% of patients in hospice care are at home. This allows patients to be comfortable in their own home while spending time with their loved ones.
The Key Differences Between Hospice And Palliative Care
Ok, let’s dive into the differences.
When it comes down to it, hospice and palliative care differ by timing, treatment and patient qualifications.
Palliative Care:
- Can be used at any time during a serious illness
- Used with curative treatment options
- No life limiting prognosis required
Hospice Care:
- Only used when a patient has a terminal illness with six months or less to live
- Curative treatment options are stopped
- Used to help patients manage comfort during their last moments
As you can see, both palliative care and hospice care want what’s best for the patient. They both work to provide comfort and reduce suffering before a patient passes.
But did you know…
Many patients wait too long before electing to use hospice care. 50% of patients only receive 17 days or less of hospice care. Families should prepare early to receive the full benefits of what hospice has to offer.
How To Choose The Right Care Option
So how does someone choose between hospice care vs palliative care?
First, ask yourself what the goal is for treatment. If treatment is meant to continue while managing pain and symptoms then palliative care is a great option.
If the goal is to focus on comfort and quality of life then hospice care may be a better choice. It’s usually chosen when no other curative treatments are available or if the treatments make the patient feel worse than their illness.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What is your prognosis and how far has your illness progressed?
- What are your wants and desires for end of life care?
- Do you have family that can support you and your caregivers?
- What will your insurance cover?
Hospice care and palliative care are both covered under Medicare. But the coverage of hospice is much different than palliative care.
If you choose hospice your medications, medical equipment and other services needed to manage your illness will be covered under Medicare Part A. There will be little to no cost to you.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Families should have these discussions early on so they have plenty of time to decide what they want.
Where Patients Can Receive Care
Hospice care and palliative care can be provided in many locations.
Patients today are not forced to only receive care at hospitals or nursing homes. One of the best parts about these services is they can administer care to patients where they want to receive care.
Patients can receive care at:
- Home
- Assisted living facilities
- Nursing homes
- Hospitals
- Hospice care centers
Assisted living facilities have become a very common place for patients to receive palliative care services and hospice care. This is because it allows patients to be as independent as they want while still having help readily available.
Another popular place for hospice care is at home. Relations can spend precious time with their loved ones before they pass away. Hospice caregivers will come to the patient’s home to help administer care.
The reality is…
Patients should receive care where they feel most comfortable. As long as they can get the care they need there shouldn’t be a limit on where they receive those services.
Bringing It All Together
Empowering yourself and your family with hospice care and palliative care knowledge can change your lives.
Once you understand that palliative care helps with symptom management at any time and hospice care is for patients that are nearing the end of their life. You’ll see that there is an option for everyone when suffering from a serious illness.
These options were created to give patients a better quality of life. They allow patients to live their life with less pain and suffering. Which care option you choose should be decided on by you and your family.
Here are your takeaways:
- Palliative care can start at diagnosis while hospice care is only used when you’re nearing the end of life
- Palliative care works with treatment options. Hospice care allows you to stop curative treatments
- Hospice care is only used when you’re given a terminal diagnosis with six months or less to live
Start having these conversations with your family and doctor now. You’ll thank yourself later when you have everything planned out.
