Both palliative and hospice care focus on improving quality of life. Palliative care is available at the time of diagnosis, but hospice care is only available near the end of life.
There’s often confusion when it comes to palliative care and hospice. You might have even heard these terms used interchangeably. But palliative care and hospice aren’t the same. While they have a lot in common, there are some important differences.
Keep reading to learn more about the similarities and differences between palliative and hospice care, and how to decide which is right for you or your loved one.
Palliative and hospice care are medical specialties aimed at supporting people of all ages with serious, long-term illnesses.
Regardless of the illness, the ultimate goal of both palliative and hospice care is to:
- improve quality of life
- increase overall comfort
- provide emotional support for you and your family
- help you make important decisions about your medical treatment
Neither type of care requires you to give up your primary doctor. Both palliative and hospice care will work with your primary doctor to coordinate and manage your care.
The main difference between palliative and hospice care is when they’re available.
Palliative care is available from the moment of diagnosis. In other words, it doesn’t depend on the stage of your illness or whether you’re still receiving curative or life-prolonging treatments.
Hospice is only available toward the end of life. It can be an option when a cure is no longer possible or you decide to forego further life-prolonging treatment.
To qualify for hospice care, a doctor must estimate that you have less than
Because people often confuse palliative and hospice care, some people
The table below explains some key differences between palliative and hospice care.
| Palliative Care | Hospice | |
|---|---|---|
| Who’s eligible? | anyone with a serious, long-term illness, regardless of the stage | anyone with an illness in its final stages, when a doctor determines they have less than 6 months to live |
| What does it involve? | • symptom relief • help making important medical and treatment decisions • emotional, spiritual, and financial support for the person and their family • assistance in coordinating care | • symptom relief • help making important end-of-life decisions • emotional, spiritual, and financial support for the person and their family • assistance in coordinating care |
| Can you still get curative treatments? | yes, if you wish | no, you must stop curative treatments in order to qualify for hospice |
| Can you still get life-prolonging treatments? | yes, if you wish | no, you must stop life-prolonging treatments in order to qualify for hospice |
| Who’s involved? | • a doctor or nurse(s) specializing in palliative care • your primary doctor • pharmacists • social workers • counselors | • a doctor or nurse(s) specializing in palliative care • your primary doctor • pharmacists • social workers • counselors |
| Where is it available? | depending on where you live, home care is sometimes available but is most often offered through a hospital or outpatient clinic | • a hospital • a nursing home • an assisted-living facility • a hospice facility • your own home |
| How long can you get it for? | depends on your insurance coverage and what treatments you need | as long as you meet the care provider’s life expectancy requirements |
| When can you get it? | as soon as you receive a diagnosis | when an illness is terminal or life-limiting |
It depends on your coverage, illness, and which treatments you require.
Medicare or private insurance, if you have it, sometimes covers palliative care treatments. Like any other visit to a healthcare professional, you’ll receive a separate bill for each treatment. Check with your provider to find out which treatments are covered.
Medicare covers hospice, provided your doctor has evaluated you have 6 months left to live.
If you have private insurance, it might also cover end-of-life care. Speak with your provider to find out what’s covered and whether you qualify.
Conditions that may benefit from palliative or hospice care
Conditions that may meet the criteria for palliative or hospice care include, but are not limited to:
- cancer
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- dementia
- heart failure
- Huntingdon’s disease
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- organ failure
- Parkinson’s disease
- stroke
Deciding between palliative and hospice care isn’t easy. The sooner you discuss your options, the better.
Research has shown that both palliative and hospice care may be more effective when started early. Researchers have also found that many people wait too long to access hospice care, often due to
The following questions may help you decide which option is right for you or your family member.
Where are you at?
Palliative care is an option as soon as you receive a diagnosis of a serious, life-altering condition. Hospice care, on the other hand, isn’t available until a doctor evaluates a timeline for the end of life.
A person may receive palliative care for many years before entering hospice care. In some cases, someone may even recover from their condition while undergoing palliative care. It depends on several factors, including illness and outlook.
What does your doctor say?
Ask your doctor about the outlook for your condition. While even the most experienced doctor can’t be definitive, they can usually provide an estimate.
To help you make a decision, your doctor might also be able to outline some ways you could benefit from either type of care.
Are you prepared to stop curative or life-prolonging treatments?
You can receive palliative care while still undergoing treatments to cure your illness or prolong your life.
To enter hospice, you
This may be one of the most difficult decisions you have to make in your treatment. It may take substantial time and reflection. You may want to talk with your family, doctor, or a counselor or social worker to help you make the decision that’s best for you.
If you don’t feel ready to stop treatment, palliative care might be the best option for you.
Where do you want to receive care?
Depending on where you live, this may be a factor in your decision. Palliative care is more often available at a facility such as a hospital or clinic. Hospice care is more likely to be available in your own home.
If you have a diagnosis of a life-altering, long-term illness, you can access palliative care. Hospice care is only available for people with life-limiting illnesses who have less than 6 months to live.
Talk with your doctor or other healthcare professional to help you decide which type of care is best suited for you or a loved one.