Question

1. What is the difference between hospice and palliative care? 2. What is your view on hospice and/or palliative care?3 . What is your view on euthanasia? 4.Do you have an advanced directive, living will or power of attorney?

Answer 1

The Difference Between Palliative Care and Hospice

Both palliative care and hospice careprovide comfort. But palliative care can begin at diagnosis, and at the same time as treatment. Hospice care begins after treatment of the disease isstopped and when it is clear that the person is not going to survive the illness.

The definition of hospice care is compassionate comfort care (as opposed to curative care) for people facing a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less, based on their physician’s estimate if the disease runs its course as expected. The definition of palliative care is compassionate comfort care that provides relief from the symptoms and physical and mental stress of a serious or life-limiting illness. Palliative care can be pursued at diagnosis, during curative treatment and follow-up, and at the end of life.

Hospice eligibility requires that two physicians certify that the patient has less than six months to live if the disease follows its usual course. Palliative care is begun at the discretion of the physician and patient at any time, at any stage of illness, terminal or not.