Palliative care and hospice care are often confused and families are sometimes told about one when they would benefit from understanding both. Each focuses on comfort, but they differ in timing and in how they relate to treatment.
Palliative care is specialized support for people living with a serious illness, at any stage. Its purpose is to relieve pain, symptoms, and stress. A person can receive palliative care while still receiving treatment intended to cure or slow their illness.
Hospice care is a form of end of life care for people whose doctors expect they have about six months or less to live if the illness follows its usual course. Hospice focuses entirely on comfort and quality of life, and it typically begins when a person and their family decide to stop treatments aimed at a cure.
In short:
- Timing: Palliative care can begin at diagnosis. Hospice begins when a person is near the end of life.
- Treatment: Palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatment. Hospice focuses on comfort rather than cure.
- Support for families: Both offer guidance and emotional support for caregivers.
Choosing between them is a personal decision, and it is worth discussing with your loved one’s care team. Asking about palliative care early can make the later transition to hospice easier for everyone.
