The Difference Between Hospice Care and Palliative Care
When patients and families don’t know whether they need hospice or palliative care the first question they need to answer is whether or not they are going to continue to pursue curative treatment.
If a patient needs additional support while receiving curative treatment, then palliative care is likely the best option for them. Once a patient no longer has curative options, or when the side effects of treatment outweigh the benefits, hospice is the appropriate choice.
Hospice provides clinical care and support for someone with a terminal diagnosis and life expectancy of six months or less when treatments or a cure are no longer an option.
Hospice care is typically not the best choice for those with a chronic illness where a curative treatment may still be an option.
Similarities and Differences for Hospice Care and Palliative Care
Hospice
Palliative
What is similar?
Care provided by an interdisciplinary team
Care provided by an interdisciplinary team
Support for someone with a terminal diagnosis
Support for someone with a terminal diagnosis
Care focused on comfort and quality of life
Care focused on comfort and quality of life
Provides support for patient’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs
Provides support for patient’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs
What is different?
Available for patients when a cure is no longer an option, or the treatments outweigh the benefits
Patients can continue to seek curative treatment
Available to patients with a life expectancy of six months or less
Available to patients diagnosed with a chronic illness
Provided in a private home, group home, assisted living facility, long-term care facility or nursing home
Provided in a private home, group home, assisted living facility, long-term care facility, nursing home or hospital
Covered by Medicare/Medicaid and most private insurance
May be covered by Medicare/Medicaid and subject to co-pays and deductibles
Care team includes RN case manager, aide/CNA, social worker, chaplain, dietician, volunteer; and music, massage, physical and occupational therapists
Care team includes nurse practitioner and/or aides/CNAs
Reduces or eliminates ER and hospital visits
May include periodic clinic visits and hospital treatment
Increases options for utilization of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for symptoms
Offer more frequent of symptom assessments
When Is It Time for Hospice Care or Palliative Care
Those eligible for hospice care are:
Patients with a life expectancy of six months or less
Patients who would like to receive care wherever they call home
Patients with a primary caregiver
Patients who are choosing comfort care over curative treatment
An RN Case Manager will meet with patients and families for the admission process to assess needs and formulate a plan of care.
Signs That It Might Be Time for Hospice Care:
Patient has increased hospitalizations or ER visits
Patient experiences progressive weight loss
Patient needs additional assistance with activities of daily living
If a patient needs additional support while receiving curative treatment, then palliative care is likely the best option for them.
Hospice Care Cost vs. Palliative Care Cost
Both hospice care and palliative care can be covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance depending on your coverage and diagnoses. Contact your primary insurance provider for additional information.
When your provider determines that curative treatment may no longer be an option, or that the side effects of treatment outweigh the benefits, it may be time for hospice. Patients who begin hospice earlier benefit from a higher quality of life, fewer hospitalizations and lower medical costs. Studies have shown patients may live longer with hospice care than without. The St. Croix Hospice team serves patients and their loved ones with exceptional comprehensive care, tailored to meet each patient’s unique needs to help them live their remaining days to the fullest.
Where do hospice and palliative care provide services?
Hospice care can be provided in most care settings, such as:
Private Residence (your home)
Skilled Nursing Facility
Long-term Care Facility
Assisted Living Facility
Group Home
Palliative care may be provided in any care setting, such as:
Private Residence (your home)
Skilled Nursing Facility
Long-term Care Facility
Assisted Living Facility
Group Home
Hospital
Who can be treated?
Hospice Care: A person with a terminal diagnosis of six months or less to live
Palliative Care: A person with a serious illness who are wanting to continue curative treatment
Can I continue to receive treatments to cure my illness?
Hospice Care: Hospice patients do not continue curative treatments related to their terminal diagnosis but may continue treatments that are life sustaining and improve quality of life.
Palliative Care: Palliative patients do often continue to pursue curative treatments related to their diagnosis.
Who regulates hospice care and palliative care?
Hospice is an approved Medicare benefit with detailed regulations on care expectations and oversight. Currently there is no specific Medicare approved palliative program that would require minimum visit expectation and oversight.
Hospice helps people with advanced illness live life to the fullest in the time they have, with a focus on comfort and quality of life. Contact St. Croix Hospice 24/7 at 855-278-2764 for a complimentary consultation.
