If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, palliative and hospice care may make them more comfortable. While these two approaches are closely related, there are a few key differences to keep in mind. The following is an overview of palliative care and hospice care and when one might be recommended over the other.

Palliative Care

Patients undergoing treatment for a serious illness can experience discomfort or unpleasant side effects. Palliative care provides a more comfortable quality of life for patients undergoing treatments for life-limiting conditions. This includes treating the physical symptoms and the social, emotional, and practical issues many patients experience. These services continue until the patient decides to enter hospice care or their medical condition improves.

For instance, doctors may prescribe pain medication and physical therapy alongside other treatments they are receiving. The palliative care team might also include social workers who can suggest counseling services and other resources to help the patient and their loved ones cope.

Hospice Care

All the services provided by palliative care are also included in hospice care, although the goals may differ. Hospice is intended to allow people diagnosed with terminal illnesses to live as well as they can for as long as possible. However, hospice is suited for those who are no longer receiving treatment and are expected to live no longer than six months.

The hospice philosophy is based on accepting death as the inevitable outcome of a terminal medical condition. Instead of focusing on the illness, hospice treats the individual and the symptoms they experience. Like palliative care, hospice may include in-home health aids, though it does not provide fulltime caregivers; hospice care requires a family member's help. Through hospice care, counseling for the patient and family members and assistance filling out hospital and Medicare forms is provided.

With a team of highly trained, compassionate medical professionals, Deer Valley Hospice Care provides stress-free assistance to patients and families throughout the St. Louis area. Their team offers in-home palliative care and hospice services that can be tailored to your and your loved one's individual needs. Visit them online to learn more about the levels of care they offer, or call (314) 396-2211 to schedule an appointment.