Hospice vs. Palliative Care: Understanding the Differences

Hospice care and palliative care share a focus on comfort and quality of life, but they differ in important ways. Understanding these differences helps patients and families make informed decisions about the right type of care. Pinnacle provides both hospice and palliative care services throughout Pennsylvania.

Key Differences at a Glance

Palliative Care is for symptom relief during curative treatment. It can be received at any stage of a serious illness, and patients continue to see their regular doctors and receive treatments aimed at curing their disease.

Hospice Care is for patients with a terminal illness and a prognosis of six months or less. The focus shifts from cure to comfort, and a full interdisciplinary team provides comprehensive support.

Detailed Comparison Chart

  Community Palliative Care Service Package Traditional Hospice Service Package
Patient Contact
Provider visits (Physician, PA, APRN and RN) Monthly (though could be more or less, depending on patient need), with access to interdisciplinary team as needed Frequent visits based on patient need (including daily and/or 24/7 visits) by a team that includes a provider, RN, social worker, chaplain and CNA visiting as needed
After-Hours Visits Services are generally Monday-Friday, with after-hours telephonic assistance, but not emergency visits Phone access with 24/7 emergency visits provided by RNs as needed
Response Time for Patient Support Medical consultant care and visits are not available urgently; phone response generally within the same business day; visits scheduled as "next available" 24/7 Emergency support; quick response generally within a few hours with phone contact or visit
Clinical Authority
  Generally a consultative model; the palliative care team may co-manage with patient's primary provider Hospice Team assumes full authority over patient's care related to the terminal diagnosis; patients may keep their primary provider for non-hospice related diagnosis
Support Services
Psychosocial Limited social work services; provides advance care planning and some counseling and referrals to community services Routine counseling and social support
Spiritual Care Limited chaplaincy support Routine chaplaincy support
Therapies Not part of the standard community palliative care package; available through arrangements with other providers Provides physical, occupational and speech therapy, and complimentary therapies such as massage, art and music
Nutrition Not part of the standard community palliative care package; available through arrangements with other providers Provided
Personal Care Not part of the standard community palliative care package; available through arrangements with other providers Support from certified nursing aides or personal care attendants
Bereavement Not part of community palliative care package Available to family for one year following patient's death
Volunteer Support Occasionally available, but not generally part of the package Provided
Other Services
Medication Coverage Not part of community palliative care services coverage per patient's insurance Medications paid for if related to hospice diagnosis/terminal prognosis
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Not provided Provided (commode, hospital bed, etc.)
Medical Supplies Not provided Provided

Not Sure Which Type of Care Is Right?

Our care coordinators can help you understand the differences and determine which type of care best fits your loved one's needs. Call 1.866.933.6221.