How does palliative care differ from hospice care?

Palliative care is fundamentally focused on providing relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress associated with serious illnesses, and it can be delivered at any stage of a disease. This means that patients do not need to be in the terminal phase of their illness to receive palliative care; instead, it can be integrated alongside curative treatments right from the diagnosis of a serious illness. This approach enables patients to manage their symptoms better and maintain a higher quality of life throughout their treatment journey.

In contrast, hospice care specifically caters to individuals who are nearing the end of their life and have typically opted to cease curative treatments. While hospice incorporates elements of palliative care, its scope is more limited as it is specifically designed for those who are expected to have a life expectancy of six months or less.

This understanding of palliative care's broader application across all stages of serious illness makes it an essential part of patient care, emphasizing comfort and support whether or not a patient is pursuing curative measures.