Many people use the terms hospice care and palliative care interchangeably, but the truth is that these types of care have several key differences. Both hospice and palliative care are intended to offer compassionate, holistic care for the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the patient and their family. At Headwaters Hospice and Palliative Care, LLC, we provide both palliative and hospice care.
Palliative care is a type of specialized medical care that can be provided in hospitals, as well as in home, nursing homes, and other clinics. Palliative care focuses on maintaining the highest quality of life while managing treatment and other needs. Hospice focuses on the care period closest to death. Hospice care enhances the patient’s quality of life based on their wishes.
The Goal Of Palliative Care
The goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life of the patient and alleviate their suffering through traditional treatment and holistic, human-centered care. A palliative care specialist understands the pain, stress, and uncertainty that come with a diagnosis of a chronic or terminal illness. They work with the individual and their family, alongside the medical care team, to achieve a better quality of life. Palliative care isn’t curative but rather enhances the individual's care in a hospital, nursing home, or memory care facility.
The Goal Of Hospice Care
Hospice care, on the other hand, is more focused on the end-of-life care and comfort of an individual. Usually, hospice care begins when creative care ends, helping the patient enjoy the best possible care and quality of life. When the patient and their family determine that further medical treatment is unlikely to cure the disease or improve symptoms, they may turn to forego additional treatment and instead focus on making their last days as pain-free and comfortable as possible.
Hospice support helps people facing the end of life as the illness runs its natural course and their families. Support and services are provided in the patient’s residence (whether It’s their home, hospital, or nursing home) and include emotional and spiritual care, plus pain management.
Hospice care and support benefit families, too. Many hospice providers, like Headwaters Hospice and Palliative Care, offer bereavement and grief support services, plus practical help with funeral and burial budgeting and planning.
The Difference Between Palliative Care And Hospice Care
Hospice and palliative care share common goals: pain management, easing the effects of symptoms, and person-centered care and support. However, palliative care is offered alongside curative care. A palliative care plan may include easing the side effects of chemotherapy or helping someone recover after physical therapy. Palliative care provides comfort care without specific curative goals.
Hospice care, on the other hand, is provided for patients who no longer have curative options or who have declined to pursue further medical or curative treatment. Instead, it focuses on giving the person comfort and dignity in their last months.
Paying For Hospice And Palliative Care
Some insurance carriers may provide full or partial coverage for palliative care if certain conditions are met. Others may only cover hospice care. Hospice care is also a Medicare hospital benefit, so Medicare will pay for hospice care if the individual meets Medicare guidelines to qualify. At least two physicians must certify that the recipient has less than 6 months to live if the disease follows its natural progression. Palliative care, on the other hand, doesn’t have these requirements, but it’s also not usually covered by Medicare.
Comfort And Care With Headwaters Hospice And Palliative Care
One of our services is helping you understand your insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare benefits. We can help you find ways to pay for hospice or palliative care and provide the information you need to secure proper supporting documentation for Medicare and other insurance providers. We do it because we C.A.R.E. Contact Headwaters Hospice and Palliative Care, LLC, today to learn more about your options.