Hospice vs. Palliative Care: What's the Difference and Which Is Right for Your Loved One?

Someday, most families will face the heartbreaking situation of evaluating end-of-life or serious illness care options for a beloved family member. At any given time, a report published by the US National Library of Medicine estimates that around 20 million people worldwide need end-of-life care. Here in the United States, we are fortunate to have two amazing options for people with long-term conditions - hospice and palliative care.

We may have a vague notion of what hospice and palliative care involve. However, it's important to have a clear understanding before choosing one for your loved one.

In this article, we will take a deep dive into hospice vs palliative care. We will examine the pros and cons of each to help you and your family make a decision that meets the best interests of your relative.

Palliative Care Explained

Palliative care refers to comprehensive care provided to people with serious illnesses or life-limiting conditions. This may include people suffering from cancer, heart failure, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Parkinson's disease, or end-stage kidney disease. It may involve both curative treatments and pain or symptom management treatments.

This type of care involves a team of medical and care professionals, typically including:

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Therapists
• Counselors
• Social workers

This multidisciplinary team works with the patient and their caregivers. They provide more than just medical support. The team also helps all involved to cope emotionally and socially with the challenges of long-term conditions or end-of-life situations.

The Goal of Palliative Care

Palliative care aims to reduce pain and make patients as comfortable as possible. This also involves reducing stress and anxiety so people can have the highest possible quality of life. Caregiving support also helps family members enjoy precious moments with their loved ones at this crucial point.

Every patient is unique, and palliative care reflects these differences. Treatments are tailored to patients' physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Palliative care can be provided in many settings, including in a patient's own home, nursing home, hospital, or hospice, as we will discuss later.

Palliative Care Eligibility

Unlike hospice care, palliative care has less formal eligibility requirements. It can begin when the patient and their doctor agree it is needed at any stage of the illness. A patient doesn't have to have a terminal diagnosis to begin palliative care.

Palliative Care Benefits

The key benefits of palliative care include:

• Comprehensive approach to patient care
• Personalized care
• Emotional support for the patient and their family
• Coordinated care between a multidisciplinary team
• Reduced hospitalizations, which can cause distress to patients

This collaborative approach to the treatment of serious conditions can reduce anxiety for all involved. Patients typically enjoy a greater quality of life for longer than they would with other approaches.

Palliative Care Drawbacks

There is a danger that palliative care can be misunderstood. As the NIH Clinical Center acknowledges, palliative care is not about giving up on curative treatments. Therefore, it is important to prioritize good communication between all parties to ensure everyone is on the same page and can provide the tailored care the patient needs.

Hospice Care Explained

Hospice care offers palliative care to people with a life expectancy of six months or less. While hospice care can be provided in specialist hospices, it can also be provided in other settings, including nursing homes.

Treatment in hospice care focuses on managing pain and symptoms rather than treating the underlying conditions. It focuses on patient comfort, dignity, and quality of life. If a patient's condition improves or goes on for longer than expected, it is possible to leave hospice care or extend it.

Who is Eligible for Hospice Care?

According to Medicare, patients with Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) who meet the following conditions qualify for hospice care:

• The hospice doctor and patient's regular physician certify the individual has a life expectancy of less than six months
• The patient accepts palliative care rather than curative care for their condition
• The patient signs a statement accepting hospice care

Hospice care can usually be provided in a location of the patient's choice, including their own home or a nursing home.

Hospice Care Benefits

Hospice care can greatly improve the quality of a person's final days. It takes a holistic approach to patient care, ensuring their emotional, social, and spiritual needs are addressed, along with pain relief and medication to reduce symptoms.

Hospice care can also be provided in familiar surroundings. Many patients choose to receive it in the community they currently live in, which can reduce anxiety. Family members also get the reassurance of knowing that comprehensive care for their loved one.

Hospice Care Drawbacks

While hospice care is incredibly beneficial, it is hard to accept our beloved relative is reaching the end of their life. That's why it is important that caregivers and family members also receive emotional support during this difficult time.

Hospice vs Palliative Care: Making the Right Decision

Hospice and palliative care both provide outstanding support to people in their times of greatest need.

Usually, a person's health condition determines which is most suitable. For those with long-term conditions, palliative care can help them get the best out of life. For people who are not expected to live for more than six months, hospice care is usually the best choice.

Do not hold back from reaching out to professionals at this time to ensure that your loved one is receiving the care they need to keep them as comfortable as possible.

Choose the Right Care Community for Your Loved One

The decision between hospice vs palliative care is not easy to make. However, we hope the information above has set your mind at rest. Both senior care choices are patient-focused and have the goal of easing your loved one's suffering, allowing you to create precious memories with them for as long as possible.