A lot of seniors and their families are often confused by the difference between hospice and palliative care. They aren't sure when each type of care is necessary, or what medical bills are covered by insurance. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and anxious.
To help you be better informed, here's an overview of both forms of care and what they include...
Hospice care occurs when a cure is no longer possible, or when the burdens of treatment outweigh the benefits. It's also referred to as comfort care and is for the end of life phase. Basically, it's when an individual patient has been diagnosed as terminally ill and has a prognosis of approximately six months or less.
It is covered by most major insurances, along with Medicare and Medicaid.
Palliative care can occur at anytime during an illness. It focuses on easing pain, discomfort, and reducing stress while receiving curative treatment. As for costs, that can vary for all medical services and treatments.
So, as you can see, while they do differ there are some overlaps. Both focus on quality of life and can occur wherever you call home. Then, the team of healthcare professionals helping can include your physician, nurse, social worker, and chaplin.
Now, if you like to find out more about how Bluevine Healthcare can help you and your loved ones, please don't hesitate to contact us. In the meantime, please visit us on Facebook and Instagram. We really appreciate your support!
