The Conversation That Comes Too Late: Why Palliative Care Should Start Before Hospice

For families navigating a serious illness, the terms "palliative care" and "hospice" often cause confusion, fear, and a sense of giving up. Yet, one is a powerful tool for living well, and when started early, it can dramatically improve quality of life for both the patient and the caregiver.

At Love Home Health Care, we believe specialized support should begin the moment you need it. Here is why the conversation about palliative care needs to happen long before the conversation about hospice.

Palliative Care: The Extra Layer of Support

The most important distinction to understand is that Palliative Care is NOT Hospice. It is an extra layer of specialized medical care focused on relieving the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness, whatever the diagnosis.

• When It Starts: Palliative care can begin at any time, from the moment of diagnosis onward.

• The Goal: The aim is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family.

• Curative Treatment: Patients can and often do continue to receive curative treatments (like chemotherapy, surgery, or dialysis) while receiving palliative care. It is about making the treatment journey more comfortable and manageable.

Hospice: Care When Curative Treatment Stops

Hospice care is a specific type of palliative care. It is reserved for patients who have decided to stop curative treatment and whose doctor believes they have approximately six months or less to live. The focus shifts entirely to comfort and living life fully in the time remaining.

The Dangers of Waiting

Waiting until a person is eligible for hospice is often far too late to receive the maximum benefit of palliative support. When started early, palliative care offers profound advantages:

1. Improved Quality of Life: Early intervention means better management of symptoms like pain, nausea, and shortness of breath, which allows the client to enjoy their life and participate in activities longer.

2. Less Hospital Time: Palliative care teams help stabilize symptoms at home, which can prevent crises that lead to unnecessary emergency room visits and hospital readmissions.

3. Better Communication: Palliative care professionals specialize in helping families understand their illness and clarifying their goals. This leads to better decision-making and ensures the patient's wishes are honored.

As the National Institute on Aging (NIA) notes, early palliative care "can help patients understand their choices for medical treatment" and may begin at the time of diagnosis, not just at the end of life.

How Love Home Health Care Provides Palliative Support

At LHHC, our Hospice & Palliative Support is designed to seamlessly integrate with your existing medical plan, providing comfort and stability right in your home.

Our specialized, RN-Led team works collaboratively with your doctors and any existing hospice agencies to provide:

• Comfort Measures & Symptom Observation: Daily oversight to catch and address subtle changes in pain, anxiety, or discomfort immediately.

• Assistance for Families: Providing emotional support and respite care so the family caregiver can rest and recharge, knowing their loved one is in expert hands.

• Stability and Routine: Ensuring the client's home routine and comfort level are consistently maintained throughout their journey.

The goal is simple: to help you and your family focus on living, not just managing an illness. Don't wait for a crisis; ask your physician about starting palliative care today.