Hospice and Palliative Care

Both hospice and palliative care deliver compassionate care to patients and families facing life limiting illnesses and end of life care.

Hospice Care encourages patients to take an active role in the many decisions and challenges that come with death and dying. The hospice team provides support, direction and care to the patient and his/her family through this process. The approach is holistic, addressing not only the symptoms of the illness, but the emotional and spiritual concerns as well. This holistic approach allows patients to live out their lives in comfort with dignity and respect.

Palliative Care focuses on easing the patient’s pain and controlling distressing symptoms. It provides spiritual and psychosocial support to the patient and his/her family. Patients with chronic, progressive, life limiting illnesses benefit from palliative care. Palliative care can be provided years before hospice care is appropriate. It differs from hospice care in that palliative care can be provided along with aggressive and curative treatments.