Comparison Between Palliative And Hospice Care

Hospice Care

Both hospice and palliative care focus on offering comfort for people suffering from life-limiting illnesses, and so, the two terms are confused easily. There are some important differences between the two services and understanding the differences between the two will help you make informed decisions on the care of your senior loved ones.

Palliative Care

Palliative care aims to care for people with serious illnesses and focuses on improving their quality of life by helping avoid the unwanted side effects of treatment and decreasing the symptoms. This type of care focuses on treating the whole person and includes the social, practical, and emotional impacts of an illness, apart from the physical aspects.

There is no rule which says that a person under treatment cannot receive palliative care. Oftentimes, this type of treatment approach is used for people suffering from health conditions like kidney disease, cancer, dementia, heart disease, etc. Palliative care can commence upon diagnosis and may prolong to the end of life.

Hospice Care

Hospice care also aims to offer comfort to people suffering from life-limiting health conditions. This type of care addresses the emotional, social, physical, and spiritual needs of not just the care recipient, but also the family caregiver of the patient. Palliative care can be provided as a separate service or may be administered in connection with hospice care. However, while palliative care can start upon initial diagnosis and can continue to the end of life, hospice care will be set aside for the later stages of the health condition.

Hospice care covers treatment for pain relief, medical supplies, medical equipment, and many other services that are covered by Medicare to manage pain and other symptoms that are related to terminal illnesses. These services can include speech, occupational and physical therapy, respite care, short-term inpatient care, oversight from a care team which includes home health aides, a nurse, a social worker, the hospice chaplain, and a physician.

Benefits Of Hospice And Palliative Care

Both these care services focus on making amends to the standard of living of people diagnosed with life-limiting chronic health conditions. These care types take a comprehensive approach to care and aim to treat the care recipient, his/her family, and caregivers. Hospice care can let people with terminal illnesses stay in the comfort of their homes and receive the necessary care. Both hospice and palliative care can offer benefits like improved quality of life, reduced risks of depression, and improved sense of control and freedom.