Hospice Care and Palliative Care Clearly Defined

Hospice care and palliative care services are increasing in the U.S., but there is ongoing confusion about what these terms mean.

• Supporting caregivers with professional guidance on how to best meet the patient's personal and medical needs.
• Pain and symptom management.
• Support for the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and their loved ones.
• Supplies, medical equipment and medications.
• Physician consultations, plus regular visits from a hospice nurse and staff.

• Treatment for physical troubles and side effects, such as pain.
• Emotional and coping troubles and social issues brought about by the illness.
• A loved one being ill can be stressful and palliative care can help both patients and families deal with stress and other negative emotions by providing treatment such as family meetings, support groups, counseling and refer mental health providers if needed.
• Serious illness may lead people to seek answers from spiritual sources. Palliative care can help patients realize their own beliefs so they can move forward into accepting their circumstances without becoming bitter or losing their faith.
• Practical troubles such as legal issues, insurance claims and money.
• Care teams may be able to provide information about resources to go to for transportation, housing and financial counseling. They can also help those involved understand the meaning of confusing medical terms and forms and learn what choices they have for treatment.