Palliative Care vs. Hospice: Understanding Your Options
Learn the difference between palliative care and hospice, and when each is appropriate.
Palliative care and hospice are often confused, but they serve different purposes. Understanding the difference helps you make informed decisions.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care focuses on comfort and quality of life for people with serious illnesses. It can be provided alongside curative treatment.
What Is Hospice?
Hospice is a type of palliative care for people with terminal illnesses who have chosen to focus on comfort rather than cure.
Key Differences
Palliative care can be provided at any stage of serious illness. Hospice is typically for the final months of life when cure is no longer possible or desired.
Palliative Care Services
Palliative care includes pain management, symptom relief, emotional support, and spiritual care. It can improve quality of life significantly.
Hospice Services
Hospice provides comfort care, pain management, emotional support, and bereavement services for families.
When to Consider Palliative Care
Consider palliative care early in a serious illness to improve quality of life while pursuing treatment.
When to Consider Hospice
Hospice is appropriate when you've decided that comfort and quality of life are the priority, typically in the final months of life.
Insurance Coverage
Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance cover both palliative care and hospice.
Having the Conversation
Talk with your doctor about palliative care and hospice options. These conversations help you make informed decisions.
Use the End of Life Playbook to explore palliative care and hospice options.