What's the difference between palliative care and hospice care?

It’s often thought that palliative care and hospice care are the same, but while they share similarities, there are key distinctions. It is difficult to watch as somebody you love goes through the final stages of life. Every day brings hard conversations and decisions. One thing is for certain; you want your loved one to get the best possible care. But what is the best way to do that?

Palliative care and hospice care are similar approaches to end-of-life care. However, there are important differences. To help you understand which service will be best for you or your loved one — palliative care or hospice care — we've answered some of the most frequently asked questions around the subject.

At Medical & Aged Care Group, we can provide comprehensive and personalised palliative care for your loved one. You can find out more about our palliative care services online, and contact us if you have any questions.

Who is hospice care for?

Hospice care is for people with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of less than six months. After a diagnosis from a physician, the resident may be eligible to receive hospice care through a hospice program.

There are many different types of hospice care, but usually, it involves a hospice nurse visiting the resident on a regular basis. Day-to-day care is typically provided by family and friends, while hospice care focuses on symptom relief and emotional support.

In hospice care, treatments to cure any illnesses are usually stopped. This is especially the case if treatments have been causing any negative side effects. The purpose of palliative care is to make patients as comfortable as possible by alleviating suffering. Any therapy or services delivered by the care provider focus on maximising comfort in the final days of life.

Who is palliative care for?

It’s not all medical — palliative care also involves spiritual and pastoral support, grief counselling, and help with daily living. Unlike hospice care, palliative care for the elderly is often carried out in nursing homes or aged care facilities. Residents outline their end-of-life care wishes on admission, and the dedicated palliative care team focuses on delivering these wishes.

That shared living environment helps to foster a sense of community and can prevent feelings of isolation. Additionally, care supplied by a professional caregiver can improve the quality of life and make things much easier for the family.

For those who wish to receive palliative care at home, support services can assist in managing symptoms, coordinating medical appointments, and ensuring comfort in familiar surroundings.

What are the differences between palliative care and hospice care?

Like hospice care, palliative care is support for people with a terminal illness. Doctors and health professionals are still involved, and ongoing priority is symptom management and quality of life. However, there are some key differences:

• Hospice care is exclusively for people with a life expectancy of less than six months. If the diagnosis changes and life expectancy extends beyond that, hospice care is usually stopped. However, a longer life expectancy does not disqualify somebody from being eligible for palliative care.
• Hospice care is often administered in a person's home. Palliative care, on the other hand, can be provided in nursing homes, hospitals, or aged care facilities.
• There are no more treatments to cure the underlying illness in hospice care. With palliative care, people are not prevented from pursuing therapies that might prolong their life, including curative treatments.
• In palliative care, doctors and nurses are available 24 hours a day to provide support. In hospice care, day-to-day care is usually undertaken by the family.

If you're tossing up the differences between palliative care and end of life care and aren’t sure which is the right choice for your loved one, our team can help you make decisions that prioritise comfort and dignity.

Does the Medical & Aged Care Group provide palliative care?

Yes. At MACG, our team provides residential aged care, as well as respite care for carers, and — for those living with terminal or chronic illnesses — palliative care. We also provide emotional support for families.

What are the benefits of palliative care at a Medical & Aged Care Group home?

We know that every person is unique and that the approach to palliative care needs to be personal. At our MACG homes, our client-tailored palliative care focuses on each resident’s individual needs. We engage as a family, by offering external support like grief counselling, palliative care education, and pastoral care, so families are well-prepared and supported through this journey.

• We provide primary care and assistance 24-7. This brings families comfort and ensures timely treatment.
• We organise customised spiritual and pastoral guidance for our residents.
• Our homes have been designed with fewer beds than most aged care homes. This allows us to give specialised palliative care and create a more homely environment.
• To make life as easy as possible, we provide laundry and hotel services.
• Our dedicated kitchen team has years of experience and can tailor the menu to suit any dietary requirements.
• We offer various activities, which can help with pain management and emotional support. We organise events like meditation, pet and animal visits, and music therapy.
• Our palliative care includes medical support, pastoral care, and symptom management to ensure a holistic approach.
• For those covered by Medicare, some elements of palliative care may be subsidised, depending on eligibility and specific needs.

‍We provide palliative care at aged care homes across Victoria.

Contact us, and we can start putting together a personalised approach to end-of-life care that ensures your loved one is as comfortable as possible.