Understanding the Difference: Hospice Care vs. Palliative Care
When a child faces a serious illness, families encounter many new terms and types of care, including hospice and palliative care. Both services prioritize comfort and quality of life, yet they offer different types of support and apply to different situations. Here’s a closer look at the distinctions between hospice and palliative care and how each supports families through challenging times.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care provides specialized medical support focused on relieving symptoms, pain, and stress associated with serious illness. Unlike hospice care, palliative care can start at any stage of the illness, even if curative treatment is still being pursued. For children, palliative care offers a holistic approach, with the goal of improving the child’s quality of life by addressing physical, emotional, and social needs.
At Edmarc, our palliative care team includes medical professionals and social workers who work together to manage symptoms and provide emotional support. This service is especially beneficial for children with chronic conditions or complex medical needs, helping them to live as comfortably and fully as possible.
What Is Hospice Care?
Hospice care provides specialized palliative support for individuals nearing the end of life. It typically begins when curative treatments are no longer effective or desired, shifting the focus entirely to comfort and quality of life. Hospice care emphasizes dignity, respect, and a high quality of life during a child’s final months, weeks, or days.
Edmarc’s hospice care program offers compassionate, comprehensive support tailored to the needs of the child and family, including symptom management, emotional guidance, and bereavement services. Our team also assists families in understanding and navigating the end-of-life process, ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.
Key Differences Between Hospice and Palliative Care
Timing: Palliative care can be provided at any stage of illness, while hospice care is typically offered when life expectancy is six months or less.
Focus of Care: Palliative care can be combined with treatments aimed at curing or managing the illness, whereas hospice care focuses exclusively on comfort and quality of life.
Eligibility: Any child with a serious illness may be eligible for palliative care, regardless of the prognosis. Hospice care, however, is designed for children who are no longer pursuing curative treatment.
Goals of Care: Both hospice and palliative care emphasize quality of life, but hospice care specifically aims to help families and children make the most of the time they have left together.
How Edmarc Supports Families with Hospice and Palliative
Care
At Edmarc, our mission is to provide compassionate care for children and families facing life-limiting illnesses, no matter where they are in their journey. Through our hospice and palliative care services, we’re here to support families in making informed decisions about their child’s care and ensuring that every moment together is as meaningful as possible.
Choosing the right type of care for a child is a deeply personal decision. Understanding the difference between hospice and palliative care empowers families to make the best choice for their needs. Whether families are managing symptoms with palliative care or preparing for the end-of-life journey with hospice care, Edmarc stands by them, providing the care, respect, and support they need every step of the way.
