Hospice and palliative care: a clearer distinction
Both focus on comfort. Their timing and benefits differ.
Support throughout serious illness
Palliative care addresses symptoms, stress, and quality of life. It can accompany treatments intended to cure illness or prolong life and is not limited to the final months.
When the focus becomes hospice
Hospice brings coordinated support to people nearing the end of life and to their families. Under Medicare, eligibility includes a physician-certified prognosis of six months or less if the disease runs its normal course, along with election of the hospice benefit.
A conversation to start now
Ask your clinician: “What support could make life more comfortable today, and would a palliative care or hospice evaluation help?” An evaluation is a chance to understand options.
Sources & further reading
General educational information. Discuss individual care decisions with your healthcare team.