Palliative vs. Hospice Care?
Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life by relieving symptoms and addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Palliative is usually covered by Medicare and some companies provide services in the home. You may want to consider palliative treatment if you have been newly diagnosed with a chronic or serious illness which includes all types of Dementia. The additional support provided can decrease caregiver burden and assist in navigating care needs.
Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life for patients with a terminal illness that has progressed with a life expectancy of six months or less. However, many people live longer than six months while on hospice. Hospice is covered by Medicare and can help provide in-home support or in facility. Hospice can include weekly nursing, caregiver, social worker and spiritual visits. In addition, when receiving hospice care, Medicare covers the cost of equipment and supplies such as hospital beds, commode, hygiene supplies, incontinence supplies and more. Hospice services can also include respite care to decrease caregiver burden.
Both Palliative and Hospice services require a referral from your primary care doctor.
For more information on the topic, please click the link below to see some clips from our information session earlier this month.
