Breaking Down the Difference: Palliative vs. Hospice Care

Many LTC staff, residents, and families have heard of palliative care but are unclear on what it really means or how it differs from hospice care. Understanding the similarities and differences between palliative and hospice helps us provide our residents and families with the support they need when struggling with the symptoms associated with serious, life-limiting illness.

Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness, such as cancer or heart failure, who may wish to pursue curative or life sustaining treatment but need supplemental care to alleviate the physical, emotional and spiritual demands of the illness. Hospice care is a type of palliative care that provides the same focus on maintaining optimal comfort and quality of life; however, it is intended for patients who have less than 6 months to live and are no longer seeking curative or life sustaining treatment.

When discussing palliative care with residents, family members, or nursing staff - keep in mind that all hospice is palliative care, but not all palliative care is hospice. Palliative care provides the same focus on enhancing quality of life and symptom management regardless of the person’s goals of care.

Check out our guide to help your facility identify ways to provide palliative care to those in need!