How does hospice differ from palliative care?

Palliative care and hospice care share the same goals of comfort and quality of life, but they differ in timing and scope. Palliative care can begin at any time during a serious illness and can be provided alongside curative treatments.

Hospice care is specifically for individuals who have a prognosis of six months or less and have chosen to focus on comfort rather than cure. When you elect hospice, you agree to forgo curative treatments in favor of symptom management and supportive care.

Both approaches use an interdisciplinary team and emphasize patient and family-centered care. Some patients receive palliative care for years before transitioning to hospice care as their illness progresses.