What Is the Difference Between Palliative Care and Hospice Care?
July 22, 2023 / Hospice Care, Palliative Care
When it comes to end-of-life care, hospice care and palliative care are often used interchangeably. However, these two types of care are distinct in their purposes and are used to treat two different types of patients. Senior Care AZ, an Arizona senior placement agency, is breaking down palliative care and hospice care: what you can expect from each type of care, what the goal of the care is, and what type of patient palliative care and hospice care are designed to serve.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a type of care that is designed to optimize the quality of life and mitigate painful symptoms and suffering among individuals who have complex, chronic, or terminal illnesses. When an individual is undergoing palliative care, their comfort comes first and foremost. Treatment decisions will be made based on the level of suffering a treatment may put a patient through, although patients who are receiving palliative care may still undergo curative treatments. A team of palliative care specialists will work with a patient and their family to assist in controlling suffering, increasing function, and providing guidance on medical and personal decisions.
What Is Hospice Care?
Hospice care, commonly referred to as compassionate comfort care, is also designed to provide comfort and mitigate suffering for patients who have terminal illnesses. Patients who are referred to hospice care will have to meet certain requirements in order to begin receiving treatment, often relating to the prognosis, which is usually 6 months or less. In hospice care, a team of specialists will work with a patient and their family to help control suffering, help the patient be comfortable in their own home or space if possible, and provide guidance on decision making as well as emotional resources.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care: Eligibility
In order to receive hospice care or palliative care, there may be certain eligibility requirements that a patient must meet to begin treatment. These requirements are different for palliative care and hospice care.
Palliative Care Eligibility
In order for a patient to be eligible for palliative care, they must have an illness, but it does not have to be terminal. Palliative care is begun at the discretion of the physician and the family at any time, during any stage of the illness, whether they are still receiving curative treatments or not.
Hospice Care Eligibility
In order for a patient to be eligible to begin hospice care, a physician must certify that, based on their condition and their medical knowledge, they believe the patient has less than 6 months left to live if the disease follows its typical course.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care: Types of Care Provided
The types of care received during hospice care and palliative care are relatively similar, although they will differ in a few key areas.
Types of Palliative Care
Palliative care services will include pain and symptom management, care coordination with your healthcare team and family members, assistance with making decisions, planning and executing your plan of care, assistance with insurance forms and housing plans, help with advance directives, and spiritual guidance, if desired. Palliative care teams include doctors, nurses, at-home care providers, and spiritual advisors or chaplains of various religions. Palliative care teams also have knowledge and recommendations for other specialists, if needed.
Types of Hospice Care
Similar to palliative care services, hospice care includes pain and symptom management as well as additional specialized services. A specialized hospice team includes social workers who will provide emotional support for the patient, grief support for the family and friends, and coaching for caregivers. Hospice teams have 24/7 on-call services and will generally have nurses, doctors, and social workers visit a patient and their family wherever they reside. Medication administration and management will be provided, as well as any additional services such as speech or physical therapy. Hospice care teams will keep track of caregivers and their needs in addition to the patient’s needs and may make short term care options available to provide relief to caregivers or if symptoms become too difficult to manage in a home setting.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care: Paying for Care
Hospice care and palliative care are specialized services that can be costly, but they are often covered by insurance plans and other benefits that help patients receive this care without worrying about the expenses.
Paying For Palliative Care
The medical portion of palliative care is most often covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or other insurance plans. Veterans are often eligible for palliative care services through the VA. Working with your palliative care team or physician to determine what you are eligible for through your insurance or benefits will help ensure your costs are covered prior to receiving care.
Paying for Hospice Care
Hospice care is most often covered as a benefit of Medicare and may also be paid for as part of a Medicare Advantage Plan, a state Medicaid plan, or by private insurance. Your hospice team can provide guidance on coverage as well as assistance with filling out insurance or Medicare forms.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care: Where Care Is Provided
Where care will be provided for patients depends greatly on the patient’s condition and their current living situation, but the typical arrangements for palliative care and hospice care may be similar.
Where Palliative Care Is Provided
Palliative care may be provided in any care setting, including a patient’s home, a hospital, a long-term care facility such as a nursing home, or an outpatient clinic.
Where Hospice Care Is Provided
Hospice care can be provided wherever the patient lives or is most comfortable, including their home, the home of a family member, a long-term care facility, or a nursing facility. Depending on the patient’s condition, some hospice providers may move patient’s to an inpatient hospice facility, which is similar to a nursing home but designed to serve only patients who are receiving hospice care.