Hospice care and palliative care are services that bring comfort and relief to patients suffering from serious illnesses. They are about treating the pain that accompanies the illness.
They believe in honoring the patient's wishes to preserve their human dignity. But the prognosis and goals of care for these two services tend to be different.
Hospice care treats terminally ill patients who have six months or less to live, while palliative care treats patients with an ongoing serious illness aiming to improve their quality of life. A patient is eligible for hospice or palliative care based on a physician’s assessment and referral.
Differences between hospice care and palliative care
Hospice care:
- The patient is diagnosed with an incurable illness giving them six months or less to live.
- Medication is administered to ease the pain so that the patient can die with dignity.
- Hospice care also helps to prepare families for their loved one’s death.
- Patients are usually treated in their homes or a skilled nursing facility where professional caregivers and family members can look after them.
- Hospice care involves the doctor, nurse, family members, clergy, counselor, and social worker.
- Palliative care is a part of hospice by treating patients in addition to what their hospice care plan is.
Palliative care:
- The patient is diagnosed with a serious illness that can be life-threatening, such as cancer, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia, but will continue to pursue aggressive measures to prolong their life.
- Medication is administered to ease the pain as well as help deal with any other problems the patient may have.
- Palliative care does not replace other treatments but is in addition to assisting with treatment.
- Patients live as active a life as they possibly can.
In most cases, the choice between hospice and palliative care depends on the severity of a patient’s illness.
Both services can help a patient and their family cope with the many aspects of the illness. This includes managing pain, dealing with family conflict, and resolving spiritual and cultural issues.
Pain medication can range from over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen to stronger controlled relief medicine such as oxycodone or morphine. Accepting the decision between hospice care and palliative care can be difficult, but the doctor and care staff will help to guide families through the process. Together, they can formulate a treatment plan that is a suitable option for the patient.
The goals of hospice care and palliative care
- Increases overall comfort by providing medication to help ease pain and other symptoms.
- Provides emotional support to the patient and the family.
- The patient and the family have access to chaplains, social workers, and other professionals who help to coordinate care.
- Patient care can happen in their home, a family member’s home, or a long-term care facility.
- Improves the patient’s quality of life.
- To help to make important decisions about a patient’s medical treatment.
How to choose: Hospice care vs. palliative care?
Deciding between hospice and palliative care is not easy. Researchers show that both might be more effective if started early. A patient can receive palliative care for many years before entering hospice care, or they can recover from the illness altogether.
Yet statistics show that people tend to wait too long before accessing hospice care. So, communicating with the doctor or healthcare provider when dealing with any medical decision is key to clarifying a patient’s options.
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