Oncology Resources: Palliative Care

Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is specialized medical care for people with serious illness. It focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.

Palliative care is provided by a specially-trained team of doctors, nurses, social workers and other specialists who work together with a patient’s doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment. (getpalliativecare.org)

For a more visual definition watch this video. [2 min] 

Hospice and Palliative Care

What's the difference?

Hospice care and palliative care are both a method of administering “comfort” care.

 As a supplement to the more “traditional” care options, both hospice and palliative care protocols call for patients to receive a combined approach where medications, day-to-day care, equipment, bereavement counseling, and symptom treatment are administered through a single program. 

HOWEVER

Hospice Care is

• Approved for patients within 6 months of death or with a terminal illness
• Administered at home by a team of hospice professionals
• Relies on the family caregiver

Palliative Care is 

• Approved for patients at any stage of treatment
• Administered through your hospital or regular medical provider
• Relies on the Medical Team

(http://www.caregiverslibrary.org/caregivers-resources/grp-end-of-life-issues/hsgrp-hospice/hospice-vs-palliative-care-article.aspx)