Palliative Care vs. Hospice
Palliative Care
Palliative care, sometimes called supportive care, is a resource for anyone with a serious illness. It can be helpful at any stage of illness and many patients utilize these organized services from the point of diagnosis. A Palliative care team may include specialist doctors, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, and religious leaders. Using a collaborative approach, the team aims to provide a patient and their family with medical, emotional, social and practical support throughout the illness. The team helps manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and guide patients and families through their treatment options.
Palliative care is most often received in the home, sub-acute rehab, long term care facility, or during a short-term hospital admission.
Palliative care is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances if the patient meets criteria; check to see if insurance will cover your particular situation.
Hospice Care
Hospice care is compassionate, end-of-life care designed for patients who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. It is similar to Palliative care, in that it addresses the patient’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. However, in hospice, attempts to treat or cure the patient’s illness are stopped and care is focused on comfort measures.
Depending on the patient’s situation and condition, hospice care can be offered at home or in a facility. If a patient receives hospice care at home, it may include assistance with daily activities such as administering medications, bathing, and dressing. However, day-to-day care is provided by family and friends and a willing, able and available caregiver must be in the home, unless alternate arrangements are made.
Hospice care is paid for in full by the Medicare Hospice Benefit and by Medicaid Hospice Benefit. Most insurances also cover hospice services in full or with minimal co-pays. Center for Hospice Care is committed to providing Hospice and Palliative care to anyone in the community meets the qualifications, whether they are insured, under-insured or not insured at all.