Both caregivers and family members can feel overwhelmed when it is time to look at more inclusive care options for loved ones.  Often, the anxiety increases when trying to understand the most appropriate type of care your loved one needs. Understanding the difference between palliative care and hospice care can help in determining what the best fit would be.

Palliative Care

The purpose of palliative care is to provide treatment and support for people with a serious, life-threatening, or even potentially terminal disease.  Palliative care is for patients of any age and at any stage of the disease to help ease pain both physically and psychologically, treat symptoms, increase the quality of daily life as well as strategies to help extend the life of the patient.  A team of medical professionals, mental health experts, and even clergy work together to care for all aspects of how the disease is impacting the patient.

Illnesses Treated Through Palliative Care

Cancer

Stroke

Parkinson’s

Liver, kidney, or lung disease

Dementia

Hospice Care

Hospice care is most notably different than palliative care in that it focuses on support and comfort for the patient and their family when the patient has less than six months of life expectancy.  Hospice care does not provide treatment with the expectation of finding a cure. It instead strives to provide physical, emotional, and psychological comfort to the patient and the patient’s loved ones until their passing.  Hospice care is administered by a team like palliative care, but it may also include a bereavement counselor, a social worker, or case manager to help prepare for the end of life.

About Hospice Patients

Terminally ill

Cure no longer a focus 

Less than six months life expectancy

Prolonging life is not a goal

Comfort of the patient is priority

At Bear Creek Nursing Center, we offer both palliative care and hospice care so that we are able to provide the right care for your loved one. Our highly-trained staff delivers world-class care services that promote independence, preserve dignity, allow freedom of choice, and protect privacy and dignity. To learn more, give us a call at (727)-863-5488.