Palliatie care Vs Hospice Care

Getting diagnosed with a severe illness means, among other things, learning a whole new language related to medicine and healthcare. Deciding on a course of treatment or a specific type of care can feel overwhelming because of the associated jargon. One of our goals At Home Hospice Palliative Care is to provide patients and their families with all the information they need to feel empowered by their decisions. Our focus on comprehensive care starts the moment you get in touch with us because we believe that is the best way for patients to figure out the health regimen that works best for them. So, if you’re wondering about the difference between hospice and palliative care, you’ve come to the right place.
t’s easy to confuse hospice and palliative care because they both emphasize a holistic approach for providing physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort. One primary difference, though, is when these services are available. Hospice is only for patients with a terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less.

When patients get admitted to hospice, they no longer wish to receive curative treatment for various reasons. However, patients may choose to leave hospice at any time to pursue curative treatment. On the other hand, Palliative care provides comprehensive care to patients while they also receive curative treatment. Many medications used to treat a variety of illnesses are exceptionally strong and, therefore, have a long list of side effects that affect patients. Palliative care offers that relief with therapies and medicines, such as anti-nausea pills, physical therapy, assistance with daily tasks, and more. 
Another primary difference is where these modes of care occur. Hospice typically takes place at the patients’ homes so that they find comfort in familiar surroundings. In this way, families and loved ones also become primary caregivers and spend as much time with the patient as possible. Patients who live in nursing homes, retirement centers, or other facilities can also receive hospice care. Patients usually receive palliative care in hospitals or specially-designated facilities because the curative treatment they receive requires close monitoring.

Around-the-clock care is not always necessary for hospice patients, but it usually is for palliative care patients due to their course of treatment. In some cases, palliative care may take place at home, but that is far less common. 
The third difference between these types of care relates to coverage. Medicare completely covers expenses related to hospice, including bereavement counseling for family members. Some states’ Medicaid coverage or health insurance policies may also cover some of these expenses. Few hospice patients pay out of pocket. Palliative care is usually not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Sometimes the patients’ health insurance may cover some of the costs associated with palliative care, but not always. As such, we recommend patients discuss palliative care options with their insurance first.

Regardless of which type of care you choose, it’s crucial to stress that these decisions should also get discussed with your physician. Centers such as ours can only accept patients who have referrals from their physicians. At Home Hospice and Palliative Care, we accept patients with a wide range of illnesses and symptoms, including Alzheimer’s, ALS, cancer, AIDS, and more. If you have questions about our services or would like to schedule a consultation, get in touch with us. We know how difficult these decisions are; let us help you find the right type of care for what you need the most.