Have you heard of the terms palliative care and hospice care? Sound familiar? These terms, though relatively contemporary, are widely used by many American families. Both provide for comfort and support, not just physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. It is usually asked if families are about to or have recently experienced a loss of a loved one.
Though both terms are quite similar and are interchanged often, it is essential to know the difference between the two. Know the fine line that divides the two will educate you and help you assess which care options are available to you and your family at the time of need.
Here are some of the major differences between palliative care and hospice care:
The goals
- In general, palliative care aims to alleviate the pains of terminally ill patients. It can facilitate the continuity treatments and methods prescribed by the doctors. When curing the disease is no longer feasible, the medications may continue only as to keep the patient comfortable from feeling pain.
- As for hospice, the goals are more holistic. The center of the program is not only healing the patient, but also the family in general. Mostly, means outside medical procedures can be employed. The services to be rendered are collective and varied.
The methods
- Palliative care is more on the medical side of the therapy. The professionals involved are doctors, nurses, and caregivers. They work hand-in-hand to find ways to lengthen the life of the patient. Usually, palliative care is conducted on hospitals and other health facilities.
- Hospice care programs can involve as many people as possible. This service relies on the unity of family members, peers, and professionals to render internal healing and peace. Aside from the usual doctors and nurses, experts like hospice coordinators, psychologists, and social workers may be present. And commonly, hospice care occurs in the patient’s homes.
The time factor
- At any moment, palliative care may be initiated by the family.
- For hospice programs to be operative (especially those that are made available through insurance policies), the patients’ condition must already be terminal or within six months till the estimated time of demise.
The conclusion
Both palliative and hospice care are great programs to help patients and family members to cope up. Neither care is superior nor inferior to the other. To make the right choice, every aspect of the patients’ condition must be considered.
You know that you and your family needs something but cannot properly point which one? If your problem involves home care and other non-medical assistance services, then you can confide in Helping Hands Foundation.
Helping Hands Foundation is a non-profit organization aimed at creating linkages between patients and care agencies. We are here to merge our connections and deliver help in the best quality available. Our specialties include but are not limited to Senior Home Care, Palliative Care, and Hospice Care.
Let us make lives better together! Email us at info@helpinghandsla.org for further inquiries.
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