Clarity and Comfort: Understanding Hospice and Palliative Care

November is National Hospice & Palliative Care Month. It’s a good time to encourage courageous conversations about end-of-life wishes and care planning.

If you or a loved one face a serious illness, take the time to learn about these enhanced levels of care. While they’re often grouped together, they’re not one and the same. Here, a pair of experts discuss the characteristics of the types of care and when each is appropriate.

Prioritizing Quality of Life

“Hospice and palliative care are both beautiful forms of medicine that focus on preserving quality of life and comfort measures when a person is dealing with a life-limiting illness,” says Nicole Benjamin Reddick, a Palliative Care Physician Assistant with ThedaCare.

Both types of care support patients with serious health conditions and their families. They also share similar philosophies: honoring dignity, comfort and holistic well-being.

At the same time, the care types are distinct in timing, eligibility and goals. Understanding the differences can help families make informed choices during some of life’s most challenging moments.

At ThedaCare, hospice and palliative care are more than simply services.

“Hospice is a philosophy of care that transforms how health systems approach the final chapter of life,” says Megan Rennie, RN Clinical Manager with ThedaCare At Home. “ThedaCare aligns medical excellence with human compassion, making it an indispensable part of any truly patient-centered health care system.”

Understanding the Differences

Palliative care is specialized medical care patients can receive along with curative treatments when confronted with serious medical conditions. Visits address physical and emotional symptoms as well as spiritual and resource barriers to improved quality of care. They also include a thorough conversation about the patient’s medical goals.

Hospice care is a subset of palliative care intended for people nearing the end of life, typically with a life expectancy of six months or less. Individuals in hospice care transition from a curative approach to their condition to a comfort-based approach.

Choosing the Right Type of Care

Individuals and their loved ones may consider palliative care when:

They have a serious diagnosis like cancer, advanced heart or lung disease, or neurodegenerative disease. The patient may undergo aggressive treatment options and yet experience challenges physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They want help clarifying goals for care: what medical interventions make sense and how to balance benefits and burdens in decision-making.

Transitioning to hospice care may be appropriate when:

A loved one has a terminal diagnosis with a life expectancy of six months or less.
The focus shifts from curative treatment to comfort and quality of life. The patient typically prefers a supportive, peaceful environment, whether at home or in a hospice facility.

How to Access Hospice or Palliative Care

Referral/request. Health care teams often consult a palliative care provider through hospital or outpatient settings. Individuals also can proactively request a consultation from their physician or advanced practice provider.
Hospice eligibility. A physician must certify the six-month prognosis. This is appropriate for patients who no longer look for further curative therapies.
Insurance coverage. Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurers cover hospice care fully under the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Palliative care services typically are billed under regular medical benefits (office visits, treatments and medications).

What Kind of Support to Expect

Both hospice and palliative care serve the patient as well as their loved ones. This can reduce the sense of isolation families often feel.

A team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and more are available to prepare families for what to expect as the patient experiences a progression of illness, changes in symptoms and the need or desire for additional support.

Palliative care services include:

Dedicated outpatient provider support (in-home if appropriate and various clinic support) and inpatient care
Telehealth support for rural community patients
Palliative care chaplain support

Hospice services include:

Respite care to give caregivers a break
24/7 access to a highly trained nurse for questions, concerns or emergencies
Spiritual care from chaplains
Music, aroma and pet therapy to ease stress
The Hopes & Dreams program, which creates lasting memories with personalized experiences or keepsakes to honor a loved one’s life and legacy
Bereavement counseling and emotional support for family and caregivers

While most patients receive hospice care at home, Cherry Meadows in Appleton is an option for those who require a higher level of support. Inpatient hospice care is available for patients with unmanaged symptoms or caregiver respite needs.

ThedaCare At Home Hospice has earned a 4-Star Rating and a perfect 10/10 score on the Hospice Care Index, both published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. These nationally reported ratings reflect outstanding performance in both caregiver experience and clinical quality.

Compassionate Care

Reddick honors the crucial role of hospice and palliative care.

“We all value the relationship we develop with patients and their families throughout their medical journey,” she says. “We are here to lean on for support and guidance.”