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Hospice vs. Palliative Care: What’s the Difference?

If you believe that palliative medicine and hospice care are the same, you are not alone. Many believe that both terms describe the same type of care. While they are similar, they are not the same.

Palliative care and hospice care services:

  • Are for people with serious illnesses.
  • Are essential, quality of life care.
  • Are an extra layer of support.
  • Follow your healthcare goals and wishes.
  • Address pain, increase comfort, and improve quality of life for you and your family.
  • Are sensitive to what matters most to you – including your personal, cultural and religious values, beliefs, practices and preferences.

And both are delivered by a team of professionals – physicians, nurses, social workers, and care coordinators — who can work alongside your regular doctors and/or specialists.

But when is hospice care appropriate vs. palliative care? Let us first answer the following questions: “What is hospice care?” and “What is palliative medicine?”

What is Hospice Care?

Hospice is for anyone living with a serious illness, no longer seeking curative treatment, and whose remaining lifespan is estimated at six months or less. Learn more about hospice care here.

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative Care is for people at any stage of a serious illness from the time of diagnosis, through treatments, and through end of life. Your  condition does not have to be incurable. Learn more about palliative care here.

What is the Difference in Hospice vs. Palliative Care?

The primary difference in hospice care versus palliative care is that hospice is for people with six months or less to live or are not exploring curative treatments. Hospice care is a type of palliative (comfort) care and is meant to address your unique needs when living with a terminal illness and to provide comfort, support, and dignity in your final days, weeks, and months of life. Both palliative care and hospice care help you if you are living with a variety of medical conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, dementia, stroke, and many others. Both services help you, and those who care about you, live your best life every day.

Speak with a Samaritan palliative care expert for free, 24/7. Fill out the form to get started now.

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