Seniors and their families often find themselves at a crossroads of care where comfort may become the foremost priority, sometimes becoming more important than a cure. In these situations, it’s helpful to know about two different comfort care options to consider – Palliative or Hospice.
Both care approaches are focused on improved quality of life and the patient’s emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. More specifically, the clinical objective of both Hospice and Palliative care is relief from suffering and symptoms but the two approaches differ in prognosis and curative goals.
Neither is an actual “place” – Palliative and Hospice care can be provided in any setting. However, it is most common for Palliative care to be provided in a hospital or clinic while Hospice care typically is provided “at home” (private residence, senior living community or wherever the patient calls home).
What is Palliative Care?
Sometimes referred to as “supportive care,” the goal of Palliative care is to provide relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of chronic or life-limiting illness. It doesn’t replace or eliminate other curative medical treatments and can become part of the Care Plan at any stage of illness.
Some examples of Palliative care may include physician-prescribed medications and other treatments for pain, constipation, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. A specially trained Palliative care social worker may assist and advocate during care. According to the patient’s needs and wishes, other team members could include a chaplain, counselor, pharmacist, dietitian, rehabilitation specialist, physical therapist, music and art therapists, and home health aides.
In short, Palliative Care can be described as aggressive symptom management alongside potentially aggressive medical treatment of the chronic illness.
When is Hospice Care Appropriate?
When a life-threatening illness is no longer responding to treatment, or when treatment side effects outweigh the curative benefit, or when a patient no longer wishes to go through difficult treatment, Hospice Care is available always at no cost as an insurance benefit (Medicare Part A or Medicaid).
Unlike Palliative care, Hospice care has eligibility requirements that include having one physician certify that life expectancy is 6 months or less if the disease follows its normal course. Accepting Hospice care does not necessarily mean an end to all medical treatment. If a cancer patient also has high blood pressure, treatment for it would most likely continue while chemotherapy would not.
Led by a physician, Hospice introduces an interdisciplinary team of professionals who work with the patient and family to design and implement a Care Plan unique to the patient’s diagnosis with the patient’s unique wishes always a priority. Hospice also provides all medications, services, and equipment that will bring comfort and relief from the terminal illness. And Hospice care continues after a loved one’s passing, offering bereavement counseling and support for the family for another year.
For Residents of Our Communities
Our community care team is ready to provide support to any of our residents who find themselves at this crossroads. We have partnered with several home health and Hospice agencies to offer residents at all 33 MBK communities a comprehensive Care Plan, including Hospice care delivered in their apartment. One example is our 10-year partnership with LifeGuard Home Health and Hospice in California. Like MBK Senior Living, LifeGuard Home Health and Hospice values respectful, whole person care delivered with compassion and dignity.
LifeGuard Home Health and Hospice works hand-in-hand with our residents, their families, physicians and the MBK community’s care team to help residents achieve optimum health in the comfort of familiar surroundings.
Editha Mallari, an owner of LifeGuard Home Health and Hospice, started the company after the overwhelming experience of caring for a close family member who was gravely ill.
“No one was there to help me with care options or understand necessary paperwork,” said Mallari. “Feeling overwhelmed with details is the last thing you want when you’re trying to enjoy time with family whose health is failing.”
Helping others in the same situation became her passion and the mission of LifeGuard Home Health and Hospice. Today, LifeGuard's skilled nurses, physical, occupational and speech therapists, medical social workers and home health aides all collaborate as a unified patient care team.
“Together with the MBK care team, we make sure residents and their families have the information, assistance and care they need,” added Mallari.
In summary, Hospice and Palliative are both person-centered philosophies of care which align with MBK’s core value to always offer a genuine spirit of caring. We believe our residents should receive the highest quality care and the needed level of compassion and comfort.
We welcome any questions and also offer the following resource for additional information: National Institute on Aging. You can also find more information about LifeGuard Home Health by clicking here.
