Palliative Care and Hospice Care
Posted on: October 13, 2023 *Updated on: May 27, 2024Let’s break it down further:
- Objective:
- Palliative Care: Focuses on relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness, aiming to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family. Its goal is not to cure the disease but to provide comfort and improve life quality. It can be given along with curative treatment.
- Hospice Care: Focuses on caring, not curing. It is given when the illness is believed to be terminal, and the patient is expected to live six months or less. It provides medical, psychological, and spiritual support.
- Timing:
- Palliative Care: Can start at any time during the illness, even at the point of diagnosis and during treatment.
- Hospice Care: Typically begins after treatment for the disease is stopped when it’s clear that the person won’t survive the illness.
- Place of Service:
- Palliative Care: Can be provided in a hospital setting, outpatient clinic, or at home.
- Hospice Care: Often provided at home, but can also be given in a hospice center, hospital, or nursing home.
- Duration:
- Palliative Care: Can be provided as the main goal of care or in conjunction with curative or aggressive treatments.
- Hospice Care: Usually begins when other treatments are no longer beneficial or wanted, and it’s clear that the person is nearing the end of life.
- Coverage:
- Palliative Care: Usually covered by insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid.
- Hospice Care: Covered by many insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid.
It’s essential for patients and families to discuss these options with their healthcare providers, understand the benefits and limits of each, and choose the care that aligns with their goals and needs.