Hospice Care vs. Palliative Care in Portland, OR
Understanding the Differences Between
Hospice and Palliative Care
When dealing with a serious illness, patients and their families often face a multitude of decisions regarding treatment options and care. Two terms that frequently surface in these discussions are hospice care and palliative care.
While both approaches focus on providing comfort and support, they differ in terms of their purpose, timing, and scope.
The information below will help you understand differences between hospice and palliative care to help you make informed decisions about the best care options for your loved one.
As always if you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to us any time, 503-628-9595.
What is Hospice Care?
Hospice care is a specialized form of medical care designed to provide comfort, support, and symptom management for patients with a terminal illness and a limited life expectancy, generally six months or less. The primary goal of hospice care is to enable patients to live their remaining life as comfortably and peacefully as possible.
Hospice care involves a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, hospice aides, chaplains, and volunteers from throughout the Portland, OR area who work together to address the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and their families. It can be provided in various settings, such as the patient’s home, an assisted living, or a nursing home.
Hospice also covers all the costs of medications, medical equipment, and supplies. In most cases, hospice is completely free to our patients and their loved ones.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a comprehensive approach to medical care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness.
Unlike hospice care, palliative care is appropriate for patients at any stage of their illness, regardless of their prognosis.
Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments, with the aim of improving the patient’s quality of life.
A palliative care team typically includes physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who work together to address the patient’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive the most comprehensive care possible.
Key Differences Between Hospice and Palliative Care
Timing: Palliative care can be introduced at any stage of a serious illness, whereas hospice care is typically reserved for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less.
Treatment Goals: While both hospice and palliative care aim to provide comfort and support, palliative care may be provided in conjunction with curative treatments. Hospice care, on the other hand, focuses on providing comfort and symptom management when curative treatments are no longer effective or desired by the patient.
Eligibility: Hospice care is intended for patients with a terminal diagnosis and a limited life expectancy, while palliative care is available to patients with a wide range of serious illnesses, regardless of their prognosis.
Care Settings: Both hospice and palliative care can be provided in various settings, including the patient’s home, assisted livings, and nursing homes. Our Portland, OR team travels to whatever location makes the patient the most comfortable.
Insurance Coverage: Most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover hospice care services for eligible patients. Palliative care is also covered by many insurance plans, but coverage may vary depending on the specific services provided and the patient’s diagnosis.
Understanding the differences between hospice and palliative care is essential when making decisions about the best care options for your loved one. While both approaches focus on providing comfort and support, they differ in terms of their timing, treatment goals, eligibility, and care settings. By recognizing these distinctions, you can ensure that your loved one receives the most appropriate and compassionate care for their unique situation.
After an evaluation from our clinical staff, our team can also help you and your loved ones make the best decision that suits your family best.
Hospice and Palliative Care Specialists Providing Free Care
Our team at Agape Hospice NW cares for patients with a variety of terminal illnesses, injuries, and conditions. With personalized treatments and advanced care planning, we ensure the patient’s needs and wishes are met continually, even as their conditions change.
Contact us to learn more about our free personal care program available at no cost to you.