Hospice, Palliative Care and Comfort Care: What Do These Terms Mean?

When someone is living with a serious illness, families may hear a lot of unfamiliar terms. Hospice care. Palliative care. Comfort care. Advance care planning.

They can sound similar, but they do not all mean the same thing.

Understanding these terms can help patients and families feel more confident when talking with doctors, nurses and other members of the care team.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for people living with a serious illness.

It can help manage symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue and anxiety. Palliative care can also provide emotional support and help patients and families understand their options.

A person does not have to stop treatment for their illness to receive palliative care. It can be provided alongside treatments meant to cure or control a condition.

Reserve Care’s Navigator palliative care program helps patients and families manage symptoms, understand care options and make decisions based on what matters most to them.

What is hospice care?

Hospice care is designed for people who are approaching the end of life and want to focus on comfort and quality of life rather than treatment aimed at curing their illness.

Hospice care can include pain and symptom management, nursing care, social work, spiritual care, caregiver education and grief support.

Care can often be provided wherever a person calls home, including a private residence, assisted living community or skilled nursing facility. Inpatient hospice care may also be available when symptoms require a higher level of support.

Hospice is not about giving up. It is about helping people live as comfortably and fully as possible while supporting the people who love them.

What does comfort care mean?

Comfort care is a broader term. It describes care that focuses on relieving pain, symptoms and distress.

Someone may receive comfort-focused care in hospice, but hearing the phrase “comfort care” does not always mean a person has entered hospice.

If a doctor or care team uses this term, it is OK to ask exactly what it means for you or your loved one.

What is advance care planning?

Advance care planning is the process of thinking about and communicating your wishes for future medical care.

These conversations may include the types of treatment you would or would not want, who should make medical decisions if you cannot speak for yourself and what quality of life means to you.

You do not have to wait for a health crisis to start the conversation.

What are goals of care?

Goals of care describe what matters most to a patient when making medical decisions.

For one person, the goal may be continuing treatment as long as possible. For another, it may be staying at home, controlling pain or spending meaningful time with family.

Talking about these priorities helps the care team recommend treatment and support that reflect the patient’s wishes.

You can ask questions

Health care language can feel overwhelming, especially during an already difficult time. You should never feel uncomfortable asking a doctor, nurse or care provider to explain something again or put it in simpler terms.

Understanding your options can help you make informed decisions about care.

Reserve Care provides hospice, palliative care and supportive services for patients and families throughout Northern Ohio. If you have questions about what type of care may be right for you or someone you love, our team can help you understand your options.