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How do these forms of care differ?
When care is given: Palliative care is available and provided at any stage of a serious illness, majority of the time following diagnosis. Nurses and Carers can intervene at any stage of this type of care, even through active treatment such as radiation or chemo. Hospice care is only offered to patients during their last phase of an incurable illness or when they are near end of life. “Treatment” during Hospice care involves managing symptoms and side effects. A patients Hospice care team coordinates with the patients’ medical team directly whilst a Palliative care team is separate from a patient’s medical care team. Let’s take a look at both forms of care in more depth:
Palliative care
Palliative care is care for patients that are terminally ill that is provided by a health care professional. You may have heard the term but not known exactly what this involves.
There are a wide range of illnesses where Palliative care can be offered. These include heart disease, cancer, kidney failure, lung disease, Dementia and HIV. When patients are receiving Palliative care treatment, they can remain under the care of their regular health care provider and still receive treatment for their disease. A typical Palliative care team are combined of a group of Doctors and Nurses. Depending on your situation there may be additional health care providers such as Registered dietitians and Psychologists within your care team.
Where can people access Palliative Care?
Palliative care is provided where the person and their family wants, where possible. It is not exclusively locked into a clinical or hospital setting.
This may include:
- At home
- In hospital
- In a hospice
- In a residential aged care facility
What is Hospice Care?
Hospice care is a unique form of care that focuses on the quality of life for people and their caregivers who are experiencing an advanced, life-limiting illness. This form of care is introduced when a disease, such as advanced cancer, gets to the point when treatment can no longer cure or control it. Nurses and Carers within this field care for their patients rather the illness. They seek that the patient is as comfortable as possible, treating their symptoms, so that a person’s last days may be spent with dignity and quality, surrounded by their loved ones.
Where is Hospice care provided?
When it comes to Hospice care there is no specific place that any patient is tied to. There are two options, at home or in a care facility such as a nursing home, hospital or even a hospice center. A member of the patient’s hospice team will visit regularly, and someone is usually available by phone 24 hours a day. Everyone works together with the person who is sick, the caregiver, and/or the family to provide the medical, emotional, and spiritual support needed.
Cavendish Homecare
At Cavendish Homecare we are experts in providing Palliative and Hospice Cade for individuals with terminal illnesses who want to remain in their own homes. We work to support the patients and their families with sensitive and comforting care.
Why choose us?
We understand that at such a stressful and sensitive time specialist nursing care and trustworthy support can make a huge difference during Palliative and Hospice care. Our team of Homecare Managers, Registered Nurses and Carers have a wealth of care experience and are experts at providing practical and emotional support and care for the patient and their families.
All our services are personalised to suit specific needs. If you would like to discuss your Palliative and Hospice care needs and potential costs, please contact one of our experts, who will be happy to help.
To read more about Palliative care, take a look at these blogs Questions about end of life care, What does end of life care mean? and Palliative care for patients with COVID-19.
