Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care

There is often confusion between palliative care and hospice care. Although similar, they differ in some significant ways. It is important to know the difference between these two types of care in order to make the right decision for your loved one.

Similarities Between Palliative and Hospice

Palliative care and hospice care have some similar elements, such as:

  • Both are form of comfort care, which is focused on symptom control and pain relief.
  • Both are typically administered to patients who have already been hospitalized several times.
  • Both offer a higher quality of life.
  • Both assist patients and their loved ones in coping.

Differences Between Palliative and Hospice

Take into account the differences between palliative care and hospice care. These differences will tell you which type of care your loved one is more likely to benefit from.

Purpose

Palliative care is focused on easing pain both physically and psychologically, treating symptoms, increasing the quality of daily life, and may include strategies to help extend the life of the patient. Hospice care is to comfort those with fatal diseases that are in the final moments of life.

When They are Administered

Hospice care is administered at a prognosis of 6 months or less, while palliative care is administered at any stage of the patient’s disease.

Curative and Non-curative

Palliative care is used as a supplement to other treatments, in hopes to cure the disease, lessen symptoms, and/or improve quality of life. Hospice care, on the other hand, is not focused on a cure, but rather to alleviate the patient’s suffering before their passing.

Setting

While hospice care is usually provided in a nursing facility or at home, palliative care is generally provided in a healthcare setting.

At Huntsville Health Care Center, you can rest assured that your loved one will have the proper care they need. We offer both palliative and hospice care services. Give us a call today at (936) 293 8062 to learn more.

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