What Is Hospice and Palliative Care?

When someone in the Las Vegas area has been diagnosed with cancer or other life-threatening diseases, they may understandably need more than hospice care, or even life support, in order to improve their quality of life. While it's true that many patients in need of both care and palliative services find solace at a hospice facility, there are also many others whose conditions require them to focus primarily on alleviating symptoms and slowing the disease process rather than focusing on prevention, and it's for these individuals that palliative care can provide an extra measure of comfort. Palliative services, while often less intensive than hospice, do not depend on outcome and are available in conjunction with chemotherapy treatment. Patients who do not have access to this measure of medical intervention would never likely qualify for hospice assistance. Only in the latter stages of terminal illness, when death is imminent and the individual no longer requires ongoing curative measures, will the palliative care staff be able to facilitate a smooth transition into a hospice program.

Hospice and palliative care have several similarities, including the fact that both offer emotional and spiritual support to patients who are receiving end-of-life treatment, both offer the same types of comfort through the use of flowers, music, and a variety of services and programs, and both can offer a sense of hope during a time of great challenge and change. However, there are also key differences, including the types of treatments and services provided, their emphasis on dignity, respect, consistency, respect for the individual, and the cost factor. Although hospice is an expensive program, many patients in need of this care choose to enroll in it because of the financial benefits. And if this choice is the best option for a patient, then it makes sense to go for it.

Unfortunately, not every hospice and palliative care facility are equally competent, so it is important to thoroughly vet any center you are considering visiting. Ensure that it has the appropriate accreditation and is staffed with competent, compassionate people who respect the individual and his or her desires as well as the wishes of the patient. In addition, make sure that the program is covered by insurance so that your family can access the assistance it needs should the need arise. Remember that even though hospice and palliative care may seem similar, they are very different from each other, and it is important to understand the differences between the two. To help you determine which is right for you, it is important to speak to your doctor and research the topic further.