Palliative Care Explained And Compared Along With Hospice-Things To Consider

wbcgaruss

This subject is not always easy to consider or talk about and many of us may never use it or Hospice for that matter. But it is good to have knowledge of options available should a major serious illness present itself in your life or a loved one. Also, the ability to have the knowledge and be able to have the most basic plan in place as a starting point just in case can be a big help and a Blessing.

I have recently been talking to a neighbor and this subject came up. it seems on looking back she wishes they would have given more consideration to Palliative care when her husband needed care options. In our short discussion, I mentioned what palliative care was, at least what I thought it was and she told me I was a little off base and when she explained it I realized I certainly was. So it got me looking and I had this video saved and I think it really helps explain it. Also, I will add a couple of links below it that are good sources of information. These two care options do a lot of similar things but yet do very different things.

I think the biggest difference between the two is Palliative care helps you deal with pain, stress, complex symptoms due to your illness, etc., which Hospice does also. The difference is you can also pursue curative treatment and other options under palliative care with the possibility of beating your illness, with hospice there are no curative options, that's the way I understand it anyway. If I am wrong feel free to help and comment with any corrections or comments. Please feel free to comment anyway and share with others your knowledge and experience.

Take Care, God Bless-Russ

Hospice Care Definition

The definition of hospice care is compassionate comfort care (as opposed to curative care) for people facing a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less, based on their physician’s estimate if the disease runs its course as expected.

Palliative Care Definition

The definition of palliative care is compassionate comfort care that provides relief from the symptoms and physical and mental stress of a serious or life-limiting illness. Palliative care can be pursued at diagnosis, during curative treatment and follow-up, and at the end of life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4ZsucFf41Q&t=33s

Below are a couple of links with information and comparing the two modalities--

Link 1

https://www.vitas.com/hospice-and-palliative-care-basics/about-palliative-care/hospice-vs-palliative-care-whats-the-difference

Link 2

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-palliative-care-and-hospice-care