Understanding hospice vs. palliative care

Serious illness can be overwhelming-for both patients and families. Hospice and palliative care share a common goal: comfort, dignity, and quality of life. But they serve different purposes at different stages.

What both types of care have in common

While hospice and palliative care serve patients at different stages, they share a compassionate foundation. Both focus on:

• Relieving pain and symptoms.
• Providing emotional, social, and spiritual support.
• Improving quality of life for patients and their families.

No matter where you are in your journey, this kind of care puts your comfort and dignity first - with a team that supports the whole person, not just the illness.

Palliative care — for any serious illness, at any stage helps manage symptoms such as:

1. Begins at diagnosis and continues alongside curative treatment.
2. Helps manage pain, nausea, breathlessness, anxiety, and more.
3. Supports medical decisions, care coordination, and mental well-being.
4. Available in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or at home.
5. Covered by insurance, Medicare, Medicaid-though costs may vary.

Hospice care — Comfort-focused end-of-life care for individuals with terminal illness (~6 months or less to live)

1. For individuals likely in the final 6 months of life, when curative treatment is no longer pursued
2. Offers full pain and symptom relief, plus emotional and spiritual support for families.
3. Care can take place at home, in hospice facilities, or in hospitals.
4. Covered 100% by Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans.
5. Includes bereavement support after a loved one has passed.

Which one is right for you or a loved one?

Consider palliative care if you or a loved one:

1. Is diagnosed with a serious illness.
2. Needs help managing symptoms alongside treatment.

Consider hospice care if you or a loved one:

1. Have stopped curative treatment.
2. Are expected to live 6 months or less.
3. Want comfort-focused care with full symptom relief.