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Palliative Care vs Hospice

Palliative Care vs Hospice. What do each of these care concepts offer and how might you choose the best option for you or your loved ones.
palliative care vs hospice

Palliative care and hospice care are two types of medical care that focus on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. While there are some similarities between the two, there are also some important differences that are worth understanding. This article will help you understand each concept and make an informed decision if choosing between palliative care vs hospice.

What is Palliative Care?

nurse holding hands with patient under palliative care

Palliative care is a type of medical care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness. It is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who work together to improve the quality of life for the patient and their family. Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, and can be given alongside curative treatment.

One of the key goals of palliative care is to help patients and their families feel more in control of their healthcare journey. This can involve providing education and support to help patients and their families understand their illness and the available treatment options. Palliative care teams also work to manage symptoms and side effects, such as pain, nausea, and shortness of breath, to help patients feel more comfortable.

Palliative care can be provided in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and the patient’s home. It is typically provided by a team of healthcare professionals who have specialized training in palliative care. This team may include doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other specialists who work together to provide comprehensive care.

What is Hospice Care?

nurse with arm around patient under hospice care

Hospice care, opposed to palliative care, is a type of care that is provided to individuals who are in the last stages of a terminal illness and are no longer seeking curative treatment. Hospice care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who specialize in end-of-life care. The goal of hospice care is to provide comfort and support to the patient and their family during this difficult time.

Hospice care typically focuses on managing symptoms and providing emotional and spiritual support to the patient and their family. This may include medication to manage pain and other symptoms, as well as support from social workers, chaplains, and other members of the hospice care team. Hospice care is typically provided in the patient’s home, but can also be provided in a hospice facility or nursing home.

Palliative Care vs Hospice

One of the key differences between palliative care and hospice care is the stage of the illness at which they are provided.

Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness, while hospice care is typically reserved for individuals who are in the last stages of a terminal illness and are no longer seeking curative treatment. This means that a patient can receive palliative care at the same time as they are receiving treatment for their illness, while hospice care is typically only provided once curative treatment is no longer an option.

Another important difference between the two is the focus of the care.

Palliative care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness, while hospice care focuses on providing comfort and support to the patient and their family during the end of life. Palliative care teams may work to control symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life, while hospice care teams focus on providing comfort and support for the patient and their family as they navigate the end of life.

Summary of Palliative Care vs Hospice

palliative care vs hospice

In summary, palliative care and hospice care are two types of medical care that focus on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. While there are some similarities between the two, they differ in the stage of the illness at which they are provided and the focus of the care.

Palliative care can be provided at any stage of a serious illness and focuses on symptom relief, while hospice care is provided to individuals who are in the last stages of a terminal illness and focuses on providing comfort and support.

Both palliative care and hospice care can be incredibly valuable for patients and their families as they navigate a serious illness. Palliative care can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families at any stage of a serious illness, while hospice care provides essential support and comfort during the end of life. It is important for patients and their families to understand the differences between palliative care vs hospice care and to work with their healthcare team to determine the right type of care for their situation.

If you’re looking for a solution to help better coordinate either palliative care or hospice across your family members (or discuss and palliative care vs hospice), you can sign up for a free account with WayWiser which will connect your Trusted Circle of caregivers in a secure, private space to help manage everything involved from medication management to storing and sharing vital documents.

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