Palliative care and hospice care are two different approaches to healthcare for patients suffering from chronic diseases or illnesses. Both types of care have their own unique goals and objectives which help different patients. Let’s explore the discussion of palliative care vs. hospice care and see who can benefit from these services.
What is Palliative Care
Palliative care is a type of healthcare that manages the symptoms, pain, and stress associated with serious illnesses. This care helps individuals with chronic or long-term diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, and dementia. Therefore, palliative care works in tandem with other treatments that seek to cure an illness.
In palliative care teams, healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, social workers, and nutritionists work together to improve their patient’s well-being. The goal of these teams is to improve the patient’s quality of life and provide relief from their pain.
Lastly, palliative care is often brought to a patient’s residence, giving them extra time to spend with their loved ones. By administrating palliative care at home, patients are also more relaxed, which relieves some of their stress and provides an extra layer of comfort. Patients can receive care in residences such as a house, nursing facilities, and assisted living centers.
What is Hospice Care
Hospice care is a specialized form of palliative care that’s tailored to individuals with life-limiting diseases. This care is typically provided when curative treatments aren’t effective, prompting a focus on comforting patients in their final days. To qualify for this healthcare, a patient must receive a prognosis of 6 months or less to live.
Hospice care teams consist of doctors, nurses, therapists, and chaplains with experience in end-of-life care. Their primary goal is to provide medical, emotional, and spiritual support for their patients in a comforting environment. Hospice teams can also perform their duties in a patient’s home, which allows patients to receive treatments in a comfortable setting.
The Support of Palliative and Hospice Care
Lastly, palliative care and hospice care can also benefit the patient’s family and loved ones. Having honest and open communication about a patient’s illness, prognosis, and wishes for any form of palliative care can be difficult. Healthcare teams can facilitate these conversations and help ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Both systems’ care teams can provide support, education, and peace of mind to the patient’s loved ones. This helps them understand the patient’s illness and how they can provide support in managing their symptoms and pain. These caregivers help families cope with the stress of a serious illness and understand the best options for their loved ones.
Finally, palliative and hospice care can help to support families during the grieving process after a loved one has passed away. Bereavement services can be provided to help families cope with their loss and move forward healthily.
Palliative and Hospice Care at Home
Navigating the question of palliative care vs. hospice care can be a critical step in helping patients with serious illnesses. Despite their differing purposes, both palliative and hospice care can help many patients, families, and caregivers on their journeys. Patients with a serious illness or condition may benefit from a form of palliative care and should discuss it with their doctor.
Our talented team of medical professionals acts as a liaison for each patient, providing their families with the peace of mind and information they’re seeking. If you have any questions or concerns about palliative and hospice care services, then please call or contact us online for more information. It’s our passion to provide dignifying and comfortable treatment options at each patient’s home.