Palliative Care vs Hospice Care
The goals of hospice and palliative care are very similar: to relieve symptoms of a serious illness, provide comfort from pain, and improve quality of life for the patient and family. Hospice care is a specific type of palliative care delivered when a patient has a prognosis of six months or less and is no longer seeking curative treatment, while those with a longer life expectancy and still pursuing life-prolonging treatment may benefit from palliative care, in addition to usual medical care. Read on to learn about palliative care vs hospice.
Is Hospice Care Right For You?
Lumina’s hospice care is a comprehensive approach to end-of-life care that provides emotional, spiritual, physical, and psychological support tailored to support each patient and family, helping them live their best life possible for whatever time remains.
- Hospice care is provided to patients who have a prognosis of six months or less and who are no longer seeking curative treatment.
- Care is provided in the comfort of the patient’s home, wherever that may be: a patient’s private residence, home of a family member, adult foster home, nursing facility, or retirement community.
- Hospice care is available for people of all ages, including infants and children, and for persons of any race or ethnicity.
- U.S. Citizenship is not a requirement, nor is the ability to speak English.
- Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance covers the cost of hospice for patients. No one will be turned away from hospice care due to an inability to pay.
What Is Palliative Care vs Hospice?
Palliative care focuses on comfort, compassion, and symptom relief. “To palliate” means to relieve. When pain is under control, you can focus on what is most important to you. Lumina’s Palliative Care Case Management is ideal for patients with a life-limiting illness and significant symptoms despite usual care. The expertise provided by our team helps patients manage symptoms, face complex medical decisions, plan ahead (advance care planning), and avoid hospital and emergency room visits.
Is Palliative Care Right For You?
- Patients with an estimated life expectancy of 12 months or less are eligible for ongoing, team-based Palliative Care Case Management.
- Palliative care can be provided while a patient is still pursuing curative treatment through their primary care team.
- Coverage for palliative care is dependent on a patient’s insurance benefits. A Lumina team member can help determine a patient’s coverage.
In addition to ongoing, team-based Palliative Care Case Management, Lumina offers Palliative Care Consults. These consults provide clinical guidance for providers and patients to assist with symptom management and advance care planning. Palliative Consults are appropriate for patients with a life expectancy of two years or less.
Patients have the legal right to use the hospice agency of their choice. Lumina Hospice & Palliative Care is your local nonprofit hospice serving all of Linn County and Benton County, and parts of Marion County, Polk County, and Lane County. Albany, Brownsville, Lebanon, Sweet Home, Corvallis, Monroe, Philomath.
If you are not sure if you or your loved one is ready or eligible for hospice or palliative care, we can help. Call Lumina at 541.757.9616 to request a consult.