Understanding Support Options: Hospice and Palliative Care

For many, we tend to avoid conversations around end of life while caring for someone who has a complex and difficult disease. We don’t want to seem as if we are giving up or throwing in the towel. But, learning more about hospice and palliative care can help you understand its benefits and the support that is available.

What is hospice care?

Hospice is a form of care for individuals who have a life-limiting illness or who are in the late stages of a disease – generally with a prognosis of six months or less. Often, hospice care is an option once an individual decides curative treatment is no longer their goal or treatment is no longer an option. Hospice focuses on comfort instead of a cure.

Where is hospice care provided?

Many believe that hospice is a place – a facility where you go to receive care when you are dying. They are surprised to learn that hospice care can be provided wherever someone calls home. In fact, most individuals who receive hospice services each year live in their home or an assisted living or nursing facility.  Many non-profit hospice organizations have in-patient hospice facilities that generally address acute care needs and symptoms that cannot be managed in a home setting. These facilities are an important piece of the work of hospice organizations but are not representative of hospice care as a whole.

What does hospice care involve?

A true team approach to care, hospice engages doctors, nurses, social workers, nurse aides, chaplains and others to create an individual’s care plan. Together, the team addresses the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of an individual. They consider the uniqueness of each person’s circumstances and seek to meet individuals and families where they are. Depending on an individual’s care plan, team members will visit, make support calls and be available with on-call support. Beyond caring for the individual, the hospice team provides important education and support to family members and caregivers. This support is an important piece of the hospice experience as helps prepare families for their loved one’s end-of-life experience.

How is hospice care accessed?

If your loved one has an advanced illness, discuss care options with their provider. Be honest about care goals and what your loved one would want at this stage in their life. Having these discussions is one way to get connected with hospice care, but in many cases, a simple call to your local hospice organization to understand the services they provide and your loved one’s eligibility is the best way to get connected with hospice services.

When is hospice care appropriate?

There is not a one-size-fits-all answer of when to take advantage of hospice services. Although, many families wish they had accessed services sooner. Despite what many believe, hospice is not just for the last days and moments of life. When families choose hospice care sooner, they are more educated and prepared for the impending loss of their loved one. They are able to take advantage of the care team at all levels, which may not be possible if an individual only spends hours or a day on hospice services.

What is the difference between hospice care and palliative care?

Palliative care is very similar to hospice care in that it focuses on the quality of life of an individual and managing the symptoms of a serious, chronic illness. The difference is that palliative care can be provided for someone who is not at end of life and who is still seeking curative treatments. We know that the symptoms and effects of chronic illnesses can go on for many years. During this time, individuals may need help with specific symptoms that recur and become burdensome. Additionally, palliative care practitioners focus their conversations around helping individuals and their families understand what they are seeking from their healthcare. Understanding goals of care can help inform the path forward with treatments and other care strategies.

We know that the topic of hospice is generally something that people whisper to one another or don’t talk about all. As a caregiver, it’s important to be educated on hospice. When you understand its benefits and goals, it becomes easier to see how it can benefit your loved one when the time is right.

Looking for a hospice organization in your area? Visit Medicare.gov.