Hospice & Palliative Care
Click one of the questions below to learn more about that topic:
What is hospice care?
What is palliative care?
How are hospice and palliative care different?
What is hospice care?
Hospice is a philosophy of end-of-life care devoted to providing services for those with a limited life expectancy. It uses a holistic, interdisciplinary team to meet the needs of patients and families facing terminal illness and bereavement. A individualized plan of care is developed that reflects patient and family goals and meets their physical, medical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs.
The hospice interdisciplinary team includes a physician, registered nurse, a social worker and a chaplain. Depending on the hospice provider, the team may also include a CNA, bereavement counselor, music therapist, integrative therapist and volunteers.*
Hospice patients and their families receive a range of benefits and services, including home health care, medications, personal supplies and durable medical equipment.
The patient’s comfort, quality of life and wishes are the focus of hospice care. Patients and families receive the guidance and practical support they need in making decisions on the medical care and settings that are in the best interests of the patient. Families are educated on advancing illness and end-of-life decisions.
* Click here to learn the breadth of the Hospice of Broward County care team.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. This type of care is focused on providing patients with relief from symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness – whatever the diagnosis. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
Palliative care is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and can be provided together with curative treatment.
How are hospice care and palliative care different?
Hospice eligibility requires that the patient have a terminal disease with a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease runs its expected course, as determined by two physicians.
Palliative care is appropriate for patients with serious, life-limiting illness from the time of diagnosis and throughout the course of the disease. There is no limitation on the life expectancy of the patient, pursuit of curative therapies or length of service.
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