Palliative care is care that is focused on improving quality of life for people with serious illness and their care partners. (National Institute on Aging, 2021) An example of an individual receiving palliative care is a cancer patient that is coping with the treatments. His or her team of trained professionals include doctors, nurses, therapists, family, and caregivers. Other examples of illnesses that can require palliative care include heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, dementia, Parkinson's disease and many others. (National Institute on Aging, 2021) Palliative care is intended for individuals who have an illness at any age.
Hospice care is care that is not dependent on a location and can be delivered at home. Hospice care includes many individuals working together to bring comfort to the person receiving care. Usually the recipient of the care has less than a year to live. Palliative care could transition to hospice when a patient has less than 6 months to live.(National Institute on Aging, 2021) The team that delivers care include doctors, nurses, therapists, and caregivers. The idea is to bring physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort to individuals who need it.
Here are some of the differences between the two choices. Palliative care will continue to care for you in terms of receiving treatments to be cured of your illness and hospice care will only alleviate you of your symptoms. (National Institute on Aging, 2021) Palliative care and hospice care both have devoted locations where each is provided. Also both palliative care and hospice care can be provided in your home, assisted living facility, nursing home, and hospital. Both take private insurance and both will work to relieve your symptoms and help you cope. (National Institute on Aging, 2021) If you are interested in working with a caregiver, complete a care plan form by clicking this link.
Works Cited:
National Institute on Aging. “What Are Palliative Care and Hospice Care?” National Institute on Aging, National Institute on Aging, 14 May 2021, www.nia.nih.gov/health/hospice-and-palliative-care/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.