Hospice Vs. Palliative Care: Which Is Right For My Loved One
Millions of Americans receive hospice care each year. While there are many benefits to hospice care, some seniors may be seeking hospice services earlier than needed. Others may desire the relief of hospice but don’t qualify for hospice care. In either situation, seniors may benefit from palliative care, a service similar to hospice care but with key differences, making it more accessible and advantageous for some individuals.
What Is Hospice Care?
Hospice care provides clients with care and comfort as they enter their final life stages. During hospice care, the medical team no longer treats the patient for their condition. Instead, the team focuses on making the client as comfortable as possible so they can enjoy their final moments with loved ones.
Is Hospice Care For Me?
Hospice care is for individuals with a terminal illness who no longer wish to treat their condition. Hospice care may be the right decision for you, or an aging loved one if:
- You have a terminal illness, and your quality of life has diminished
- You want to improve your quality of life with a terminal illness to enjoy moments with loved ones
- Treatments for your condition are no longer providing relief or improving your condition
- You’re ready to enter the final stages of life
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is similar to hospice in that the primary focus is on providing comfort to clients with a chronic illness. However, in palliative care, the patient still receives treatment for their condition. Some individuals will use palliative care as a transition into hospice. Still, it can also be helpful for people with chronic conditions who need the added physical, emotional, and spiritual support that palliative care can provide.
Is Palliative Care For Me?
Palliative care has fewer restrictions for getting access than hospice care. It is often a better fit for individuals who have a chronic or terminal illness but still wish to treat their condition. Palliative may be for you or a loved one if:
- You have a chronic or terminal illness that you would like to receive physical or emotional support while continuing your treatments.
- Your symptoms make it challenging to care for yourself
- Your symptoms cause moderate to severe discomfort most of the day
- You or your family would like emotional support and guidance on how to proceed while living with a chronic condition
Palliative Care With Visiting Angels
Palliative care with Visiting Angels is our specialized approach to providing relief and comfort to clients with chronic conditions. All caregivers providing palliative care with Visiting Angels graduate from a unique Palliative Care Certification Program. This program educates our caregivers on delivering compassionate physical, social, emotional, and spiritual care to improve our clients’ quality of life.
You can learn more about how palliative care can fit into your care needs by scheduling a complimentary consultation with our care team. This consultation will walk you through the specifics of our care program and how we personalize each client’s approach to achieve the highest quality of care. It’s also a perfect time to ask questions or express concerns.
Contact our Cullman office to get started.