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Many people are confused by the terms Hospice vs Palliative Care. We asked our Care Manager RN Sherene Brouwer to help enlighten us on the difference between Hospice and Palliative Care. Sherene worked many years as a Hospice RN and is very familiar with the field.
Hospice and palliative care are types of end-of-life care that involve pain and symptom relief. Hospice care is provided when a person has six months or less to live, while palliative care can be provided at any time during a patient’s diagnosis. Both hospice and palliative care have been given negative connotations when in fact they are anything but.
Palliative care can be utilized anytime during a patient’s diagnosis of a terminal illness, even if they are still receiving aggressive treatments. It allows for comfort-focused care to improve quality of life when dealing with debilitating disease.
Hospice care is equally beneficial to both the patient and the family. Exhausted family members tell us frequently how much they appreciate the team members that Hospice provides to their loved ones. Hospice can also provide much needed equipment and supplies that are essential to provide a patient with comfort and at tremendous cost savings, as many supplies are provided by hospice and covered by Medicare. Hospice doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and aides will all visit the patient in the comfort of their own home, allowing for the patients to not only be in a familiar environment but also not have to exert the physical effort of travel to and from medical appointments.
Hospice will not only provide medical services but also ample education and support to patients and their families as they navigate terminal illnesses. Comfort is key with hospice and they will ensure the patient’s wishes are achieved to the best of their ability. A common myth of hospice is that it is only utilized for the last days of a patient’s life. This is untrue as some hospice patients can be on services for even a year, with hospice staff managing their terminal illness to ensure the patient remains comfortable and cared for. After a patient passes, hospice will also help support the family for up to 13 months as they navigate many firsts without their loved one.
Parent Care Management Services has partnered with many hospice and palliative care teams over the years. PCMS can assist in finding the company that will best suit your unique needs and desires. Contact us today for more information or to talk about how we can help you with your hospice and palliative needs.