Patient Care 101: Palliative Care versus Hospice Care

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Receiving a diagnosis of a fatal disease and getting treatment is never easy for anyone, especially for people who no longer have family and loved ones to be there for them. Life-threatening conditions can incapacitate a person and trample their dignity and self-confidence.

For patients who face life-threatening diseases, compassionate care is just as important as medication and treatment. Palliative care and hospice care seek to make this difficult situation more bearable for the patient by helping them with their physical needs and offering emotional and spiritual support.

For many patients, they prefer to have in home care for as long as possible. Palliative care and hospice care are central to the treatment and/or support of patients who are facing terminal illnesses. Both services are very similar in nature, which is why both are often mistaken for the other.

In essence, the goals of palliative care and hospice care are to ease the patient’s suffering and provide compassionate care. Palliative care is given to patient in any stage of the treatment, from the diagnosis and before and after the healing period. Meanwhile, hospice care is only provided for patients who can no longer be treated and are in the last months of their life.

People who are fighting for their lives need thoughtful and patient care, as well as constant and genuine support and companionship and round-the-clock monitoring. Palliative care and hospice care can offer invaluable help and immense comfort to those who are suffering.

Both medical-care services have helped countless people through one of the most grueling points of their lives and through their final days.

When is a person eligible for palliative care? How about hospice care? Millions of people in the United States are in dire need of medical care. Early palliative care can help lessen unnecessary hospital admissions and the use of certain health services.

For patients who are no longer treatable, hospice care can make their remaining days more comfortable, as well as help their loved ones through this tough time.

Cables and Sensors has created a comprehensive yet easy-to-read infographic about the differences between palliative care and hospice care. From the treatment, to eligibility, to care locations, to payment options, learn everything you need to know about these important facets of medical care in the infographic below.

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