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The Difference in Palliative Care and Hospice Care

Many people ask the question, “What is the Difference Between Palliative Care and Hospice Care?” Though they are similar, there are some differences that we identify in the topics below.

On Life Expectancy

Palliative Care

Specialty care that focuses on symptom management for patients with serious or life-threatening illness, without regard for life expectancy

Hospice Care

Specialty care that focuses on quality of life and symptom management for patients with terminal illness, with life expectancy less than 6 months.

On Curative Treatment

Palliative Care

May continue to receive curative treatment

Hospice Care

No longer seeking curative treatment

On Symptom Management

Palliative Care

Strong emphasis on symptom management

Symptoms will be managed as much as possible

Hospice Care

Strong emphasis on symptom management at end of life

Symptoms will be managed as much as possible

On Medicare

Palliative Care

Services are not part of a packaged Medicare benefit

Hospice Care

Hospice patients can receive the Medicare hospice benefit, including durable medical equipment, and in-patient hospice services/respite care

On Bereavement Services

Palliative Care

Does not provide bereavement services

Hospice Care

Provides bereavement services for family and caregivers

On Location of Care

Palliative Care

  • Home
  • Assisted living facility
  • Nursing home
  • Hospital

Hospice Care

  • Home
  • Assisted living facility
  • Nursing home
  • Hospice facility
  • Hospital

On Length of Care

Palliative Care

This depends on what care you need and your insurance plan

Hospice Care

As long as you meet the hospice’s criteria of an illness with a life expectancy of months, not years

On Palliative Care and Hospice Care Teams

Palliative Care

Works collaboratively with current healthcare providers, including specialists

Hospice Care

Works collaboratively with current healthcare providers (primarily primary care physician)

Holistic end-of-life care from a multidisciplinary team (including physicians, nurses, social workers, case managers, spiritual counselors, volunteers, bereavement counselors

Learn more about common misunderstandings about hospice

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOSPICE

Learn More About Palliative Care from the Mayo Clinic

Temecula Hospice

Temecula hospice offers is more than pain management, helping with questions and putting together resources. We do our best to earn our hospice patients’ trust and be their companion. We create a personalized, compassionate care experience to meet the unique needs of each hospice patient.

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Temecula Hospice

We create a personalized, compassionate care experience to meet the unique needs of each hospice patient.