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What is Palliative Care at Home Versus Hospice?
Date Updated: December 14, 2024
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Sarah has produced thousands of articles in diverse niches over her decade-long career as a full-time freelance writer. This includes substantial content in the fields of senior care and health care. She has experience writing about wide-ranging topics, such as types of care, care costs, funding options, state Medicaid programs and senior resources.
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Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a health care professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM – Toronto, Canada.
Palliative care at home versus hospice differs in terms of the services provided and the stage of a person’s illness. That said, both care types share similarities, such as relieving pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. If their medical situations allow, patients can receive both at home.
Similarities Between At-Home Palliative Care and Hospice Care
Both home palliative and hospice care include services from medical professionals who visit individuals in their private residences per tailored support plans. Care teams include certified nursing aides, nurses and therapists. Each care type aims to reduce suffering and enhance the quality of life for people with life-limiting or severe conditions. In-home palliative care and home hospice care include comprehensive comfort care measures to alleviate symptoms such as:
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety and stress
- Skin irritations
- Digestive issues
Care plans may also include counseling, spiritual support, companionship and practical assistance with activities of daily living, such as personal care and domestic chores.
Differences Between Home-Delivered Palliative and Hospice Care
Individuals with serious conditions start palliative support and hospice at different stages of their illnesses. People may begin palliative care at any point after receiving a diagnosis of a terminal illness or severe, life-altering condition, such as:
- Cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- Heart disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Kidney disease
Palliative treatment might continue for several years. On the other hand, hospice care supports those in the last stages of their lives. People typically begin hospice care when their doctor says they have an incurable condition and a life expectancy of no more than 6 months.
People may still pursue curative treatments alongside palliative measures. For example, someone may receive comfort care while undergoing chemotherapy, receiving regular iron infusions or having an organ transplant. Conversely, curative treatments stop when people begin hospice, with the entire focus switching solely to comfort and compassion.