Options for End-of-Life Care

What is the difference between palliative care and hospice care? Both seek to relieve pain and other symptoms associated with chronic or serious illness, but there are significant differences. As noted below, all hospice care is palliative, but not all palliative care is hospice. Palliative care is a specialty that focuses on pain and symptom management, and hospice care is a subset of this specialty.

Palliative Care

Hospice Care
Can be provided earlier in the disease process. Is available for patients at any age or stage of illness. Does not require a prognosis of six-months or less. Is focused on comfort and quality of life for individuals who are no longer pursuing curative treatments and offers support to patients and families.
Can be provided in tandem with
curative care and restorative therapies.		 Is provided for individuals with a life expectancy of six months or less.

Is provided through periodic home
visits by a palliative care nurse practitioner, who focuses on the medical management of symptoms.

 Is provided through an interdisciplinary team that includes physician, nurse practitioner, nurses, social workers, chaplain, aides, therapists, and volunteers. Home visits are made to provide for the individual’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Support is also offered to family members and caregivers. Medications, equipment, supplies, and medical interventions, as well as 24/7 access to the hospice care team, are included.