22/12/2022
The definition of hospice care is “Compassionate comfort care for people facing a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less, based on their doctor's estimate if the disease runs its course as expected.”
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.”
So while both provide comfort, palliative care can begin much earlier in the diagnosis or treatment process, whereas hospice care begins after treatment of the disease is stopped and when it is clear that the person is not going to survive the illness.
Regardless of the illness, the ultimate goal of both palliative and hospice care is to:
- Improve quality of life
- Increase overall comfort
- Provide emotional support for you and your family
- Help you make important decisions about your medical treatment
