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Palliative Care vs. Hospice

Kat Gardner
  • Coverage

No one wants to think about it, but serious illnesses can happen to anyone. That’s why it’s so important to understand care options long before you ever need them. To help, we’re going to take a closer look at two care options for those with serious illnesses: palliative and hospice care. We’ll compare what they have in common and how they differ.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care gives specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness, such as cancer or heart failure. Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for them and their families. Patients in palliative care may also receive medical care for their symptoms and treatments to help cure their serious illness.

What is hospice care?

Hospice care focuses on the care, comfort and quality of life of a person with a serious illness who is approaching the end of life. For many, there comes a point where treatment for a disease is no longer an option. Hospice is provided to people with terminal illnesses when their doctor believes they have six months or less to live and they have decided to let the disease run its course.

What conditions can qualify for palliative care or hospice?

A variety of long-term conditions and terminal illnesses can qualify for palliative care and/or hospice, such as:

  • Cancer
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Dementia
  • Heart failure
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Organ failure
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Stroke

Why patients choose hospice

Patients sometimes decide they no longer want to go through painful or difficult treatments that may not improve or extend their life. Other times, it’s because doctors have done all they can to cure the illness and there are no further treatment options.

Why patients choose palliative care

Patients are commonly seeking relief from symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, nausea or the stress that comes with serious illness or from side effects of medical treatment (like chemotherapy).

Palliative Care vs. Hospice Chart

The following chart can help you compare the similarities and differences between the two options:

How can I ensure palliative and hospice coverage?

The best way to ensure coverage is to make sure you plan for it in advance. Fortunately, we can help! If you have questions about end-of-life coverage and how to prepare for the future, please reach out to one of our licensed insurance agents. We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have and help you find some peace of mind.

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