There are many common misconceptions, both in the general public and within the healthcare setting, regarding Hospice and Palliative Care.

Let’s take a second to clear this up!

First, let’s define these two types of healthcare.

According to the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC), “Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.”

According to the American Cancer Society, hospice care is defined as “a special kind of care that focuses on quality of life for people and their caregivers who are experiencing an advanced, life-limiting illness. Hospice care provides compassionate care for people in the last phases of incurable disease so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible.” Additionally, for one to qualify for hospice care, a physician must certify that the terminally ill patient likely has a life expectancy of six months or less.

As you can see, these two care programs are not the same!

However, there are obvious similarities.

Perhaps the easiest way to explain is with these two simple statements:

• All hospice IS palliative care.

• Not all palliative care is hospice.

Meaning, a patient who is receiving hospice care with a life expectancy of six months or less is always receiving a level of palliative (comfort) care – i.e. symptom management for a life-threatening illness.

However, not everyone on palliative care is receiving hospice care. Patients receiving palliative care have chosen to receive palliation and symptom relief for their life threatening or serious illness but may still choose to pursue curative treatment in addition to the complex symptom management provided by a Palliative Care Team.

WHY IS THIS DELINEATION SO IMPORTANT?

It is vitally important for people to understand the difference because, with either mode of care, it’s an added layer of support for the patients, family members, and caregivers for those battling a serious illness. However, there is such a taboo associated with the words “Palliative Care” and “Hospice” that they are often viewed as the same – the patient is imminently dying and there is nothing left to offer.

We must do better in explaining that quality of life is important in a serious illness, no matter your life expectancy or treatment options. The sooner we realize that palliative care prior to hospice can actually improve patient outcomes and quality of life, the sooner we can help the patients! Palliative care can be provided in conjunction with curative or life-lengthening therapies and serve as a bridge for those whose illness can eventually lead them to hospice care.

In summary, palliative care is NOT the same as hospice. We should not limit the opportunity for those with a serious illness to receive complex symptom management provided by a Palliative Care Specialist or Team. With a better understanding of palliative care versus hospice, and a greater emphasis on healthcare team’s collaboration, we can increase quality of life for the patients, families, and caregivers of those facing a life-threatening illness.

Now, go forth with this knowledge and spread the word!

Jaymie Wilson, MSN, APRN-CNP, ACHPN
Chief Operating Officer - PDC Rx