The Difference Between Palliative Care and Hospice: What Families Should Know

 When a loved one is diagnosed with a chronic illness, families often find themselves facing difficult decisions about care and comfort. Two of the most common terms that arise during these conversations are palliative care and hospice care. While both focus on improving a person’s quality of life, they serve different purposes at different stages of an illness.

At Visiting Angels, we know how overwhelming these choices can feel. That’s why we’re here to help you understand the key differences between palliative care and hospice — so you can make the best possible decision for your loved one.



What Is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is a specialized type of care designed to support individuals living with chronic or long-term illnesses. Its purpose is not to cure the illness but to enhance comfort, manage symptoms, and address emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.

Unlike hospice care, palliative care can begin at any stage after a diagnosis, even while your loved one continues to receive treatment. It’s about improving daily life, reducing discomfort, and offering peace of mind for both the individual and their family.

At Visiting Angels, we provide non-medical palliative care services that focus on holistic support. Our caregivers assist with daily activities while fostering companionship and emotional wellness. This includes:

  • Personal care assistance

  • Meal preparation and light housekeeping

  • Companionship and meaningful conversation

  • Emotional and spiritual encouragement

Our caregivers are trained through the Certified Palliative Care program, ensuring they understand how to address the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of each person they care for. This personalized approach helps create a nurturing environment where comfort and dignity are at the forefront.

What Is Hospice Care?

Hospice care is provided when a person is approaching the final stage of life, typically with a prognosis of six months or less. The focus shifts from medical treatment aimed at curing the illness to comfort-centered care that eases pain and promotes peace during the end-of-life journey.

Hospice care supports not only the individual but also their family members, offering guidance, counseling, and relief during this emotionally challenging time. It can take place at home, in a hospice center, or in a long-term care facility, depending on the family’s wishes and the patient’s condition.

The goal of hospice is to ensure that each day is as comfortable, meaningful, and dignified as possible, allowing families to focus on spending quality time together.

Key Differences Between Palliative Care and Hospice

While palliative and hospice care share the same philosophy of compassion and comfort, their timing and goals differ.

Timing:
Palliative care can begin at any time after a chronic illness is diagnosed. Hospice care begins when curative treatment is no longer pursued and the focus turns entirely to end-of-life comfort.

Treatment Goals:
Palliative care can work alongside medical treatments, supporting patients as they continue therapies or procedures. Hospice care, on the other hand, begins once medical treatments are stopped, and the goal becomes ensuring comfort and peace.

Duration:
Palliative care can continue for months or even years, depending on the individual’s condition. Hospice care generally provides support during the final months of life.

Focus:
Palliative care helps manage symptoms, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being. Hospice care helps manage pain and emotional needs during the final stage of life.

Both types of care honor dignity, provide relief from discomfort, and ensure that families feel supported and informed throughout the journey.

Visiting Angels’ Compassionate Approach to Palliative Care

At Visiting Angels, we take pride in offering in-home palliative care services that help families feel supported every step of the way. Our caregivers provide compassionate companionship and meaningful engagement that can significantly enhance your loved one’s quality of life.

We focus on four essential aspects of care:

  • Physical Support: Providing comfort through daily living assistance and attention to physical needs.

  • Emotional Support: Encouraging positivity and providing a sense of purpose through friendly, compassionate care.

  • Social Support: Reducing isolation through companionship, conversation, and social interaction.

  • Spiritual Support: Helping individuals and families find inner peace, strength, and hope during difficult times.

While our caregivers do not provide medical care, they work closely with families and healthcare professionals to ensure your loved one’s overall well-being. We can offer assistance whether your loved one lives at home, in an assisted living facility, or in a long-term care residence.

How Families Benefit from Palliative Care

Having a trained caregiver by your loved one’s side can make a remarkable difference — not just for them, but for the entire family. Palliative care offers families time to focus on what truly matters: love, connection, and peace of mind.

Our caregivers provide respite for family members, reducing stress and anxiety while ensuring your loved one receives attentive, consistent care. This support allows families to remain emotionally connected, confident that their loved one is in compassionate hands.

When to Consider Palliative Care

If your loved one is living with a chronic condition such as cancer, COPD, heart disease, Parkinson’s, or dementia, palliative care may help improve their comfort and quality of life. The best time to begin is as soon as the need for additional daily support or emotional care becomes clear.

At Visiting Angels, we offer a free in-home consultation to learn more about your loved one’s specific needs and create a personalized care plan that fits your family’s situation.

Palliative care can begin at diagnosis and continue throughout treatment, offering a continuous layer of comfort and support.

The Bottom Line

Both palliative and hospice care share the same compassionate heart — they’re about helping people live with dignity, peace, and comfort. The key difference lies in when the care begins and what the main goal is.

Palliative care is appropriate at any stage of a chronic illness and can accompany ongoing treatment, while hospice care is reserved for end-of-life comfort.

At Visiting Angels, our mission is to walk alongside families during these deeply personal moments. Through our Certified Palliative Care program, we ensure your loved one receives the respect, attention, and care they deserve — right at home.

Contact Visiting Angels

If your loved one is living with a chronic condition and you’re seeking compassionate, in-home support, contact Visiting Angels today.
Call 800-365-4189 or visit our website to learn more about how our palliative care services can bring comfort and peace to your family.

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