Medical care often falls into two umbrella categories: curative and illness management. Palliative care belongs to the second category because it focuses on improving the quality of life for those with serious or life-threatening illnesses and is not designed to cure or eradicate an underlying condition. The World Health Organization says an estimated 56.8 million people, including 25.7 million in the last year of life, require palliative care each year. However, worldwide, only about 14% of people who need palliative care currently receive it.

What does palliative care do?

Palliative care can improve the quality of life and medical outcomes of patients and their families who are facing challenges associated with life-threatening illnesses. Palliative care is offered alongside other treatments a person may receive. The Mayo Clinic says palliative care largely involves managing pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. It also can help one cope with side effects from medical treatments. Palliative care does not depend on whether or not the condition can be cured and there is no time limit; it can last as long as the patient requires and is exhibiting symptoms suggesting care can help.

What is hospice care?

Hospice is similar to palliative care in that it is geared toward pain and symptom management, but it is designed for people who are not expected to live longer than six months. Hospice patients do not have to be homebound, according to Amedisys, a provider of health care in the home, but unlike palliative care, those who accept hospice care typically cease any other medical care attempting to cure an illness.

In-home hospice services can include help with personal care from a home health aide, skilled nursing, medical social work to help with advanced directives and insurance, and bereavement counseling. Hospice visits typically increase over time as the patient’s health declines.  There are also hospice care centers or other long-term facilities that have hospice care built-in.

Is palliative care hospice care?

Palliative care and hospice care are not one and the same. In fact, hospice care is a type of palliative care that focuses exclusively on patients who are expected to live for six months or less. Palliative care can be offered to patients with serious illnesses at any stage.

Who is palliative care for?

Just about any person suffering from a serious, prolonged illness can benefit from palliative care. The Cleveland Clinic notes people with these conditions may benefit from palliative care.

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Cancer

• Cardiovascular disease

• Cystic fibrosis

• HIV/AIDS

• Kidney disease

• Lung diseases like emphysema

• Multiple sclerosis (MS)

• Parkinson’s disease

• Stroke

Which conditions can palliative care help with?

Patients with serious illnesses often experience pain, nausea, fatigue, depression, insomnia, anxiety, constipation and shortness of breath. Palliative care specialists utilize strategies and medications to alleviate these symptoms, ensuring that patients remain as comfortable as possible. 

It also may help a person cope with side effects of medical treatments. Palliative care may be recommended whether a condition can be cured or not. It is performed alongside other treatments a person may be receiving, says the Mayo Clinic, and has been shown to improve overall health outcomes in certain cases.

Who offers palliative care?

Teams of professionals provide palliative care. A care team can consist of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers and spiritual advisors.

Get Palliative Care recommends starting by speaking with your doctor – the oncologist, neurologist, cardiologist who diagnosed you – to find a referral. If they haven’t mentioned palliative care on their own, it’s okay to bring it up and ask if palliative care can help you manage symptoms or improve your quality of life.

Once you get that referral, you can go to getpalliativecare.org to find lists of frequently asked questions and frameworks for care plans so you are even more empowered to get comfort in your life as you navigate the difficult journey of illness.