When speaking with families, I am often asked, “What is the difference between hospice and palliative care?” These two terms are often used interchangeably, but it is important to understand there is a distinction between the two.
Both hospice and palliative care are available for an individual who is suffering from a chronic disease, such as but not limited to dementia, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and/or cancer. The goal of both hospice and palliative care is to focus on symptom management and ensuring the patient’s comfort.
So, what is the difference between hospice and palliative care? While palliative care permits the patient to continue to consult with their specialists and physician for ongoing treatment of the illness, hospice is provided for those who have decided to no longer pursue aggressive treatments of their disease process.
Palliative is available to patients at any point in their chronic disease process; however, there are certain criteria the individual must meet to qualify for hospice depending on their “admitting” diagnosis. In speaking with my clients and their families, they often express the concern that hospice means they or their loved one is “dying.” It does not mean the patient is dying within that time frame; however, hospice is available to someone that the doctor has determined may have less than six months to live if there is no change to their condition.
Though there is a difference between hospice and palliative care and qualification, both are available in any care environment, including home, assisted living, and nursing homes. Palliative care is a medical specialty provided by the medical provider(s) to manage the patient’s symptoms. Hospice is typically covered entirely by insurance. Hospice provides a care team typically consisting of a medical director, nurse, home health aide, social workers, chaplain, and volunteers. Although the hospice is available to the patient 24/7, the service generally does not cover 24/7 care; this team would supplement the care at home and staff of the assisted living or nursing home but not replace them.
Our team of elder care coordinators often discuss and educate our clients on the distinction between hospice and palliative care. It is important to speak with your medical provider(s) about your or your loved one’s condition, treatment options, and prognosis to make an informed decision. Both hospice and palliative care are seen as ‘scary’ words, but our team of ECCs is available to address any questions related to the two levels of care. We often refer our clients to professionals who specialize in one or both programs to ensure our clients understand the options and continue to receive the best care possible.