What Is the Difference Between Palliative Care and Hospice?

Ana Safarian • September 30, 2024

Palliative care, hospice care—it can be quite daunting getting yourself familiar with these terms, especially when you're at a stage of life where a loved one is experiencing an illness or is already on the brink of life.

However, being knowledgeable about these things proves to be truly useful, especially when you are still confused about which is which and what route you should opt for. You may be quite overwhelmed with all the medical advice given, and that may not necessarily bode well with what you are already facing at hand.

So, what is the difference between palliative care and hospice?

Let's dive right into it.

What Does Hospice Include vs Palliative Care?

Hospice care is primarily geared towards those nearing the end of life, focusing on providing comfort rather than curing the illness. This includes:

Pain management
Emotional support
Spiritual guidance
Ensuring that patients spend their final days in peace and dignity

This generally involves a team of healthcare professionals—doctors, nurses, social workers, and chaplains—who work closely with the patient and their families to address their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Depending on the patient's wishes and needs, this hospice care is usually provided at home, in hospice centers, or in facilities like nursing homes.

Palliative care, on the other hand, aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses, whether or not they are terminal. It focuses on symptom relief, pain management, and emotional support but can be provided alongside curative treatments—and is delivered in various settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and at home, making it more versatile than hospice care. This type of care can begin at any stage of the illness, from diagnosis onwards, and it doesn’t require patients to stop receiving treatments that might cure their illness.

Who is Being Treated in Hospice vs Palliative Care?

Hospice care is for individuals who have already received a prognosis of six months or less, given that the disease follows its natural course. Patients under hospice care are well aware that curative treatments are no longer effective for them—hence the choice to not pursue them and instead focus on maximizing comfort and quality of life toward their last days. This is more suitable for those with terminal conditions such as cancer, advanced heart disease, or severe neurological disorders,

Meanwhile, palliative care is available to anyone who has a serious illness—regardless of whether they have been given a prognosis or not. People who suffer from the following benefit from palliative care the most:

Cancer
Heart failure
COPD
Dementia
Other chronic diseases

The goal here is to provide patients a comprehensive support for their physical, emotional, and psychological needs while living with a severe illness—a way for them to maintain a higher quality of life all while being under treatment.

Does Medicare Pay for Hospice or Palliative Care?

Medicare covers both hospice and palliative care, but the specifics differ. Hospice care is fully covered under Medicare Part A, as long as the patient meets the eligibility requirements, including having a terminal diagnosis with a life expectancy of six months or less. This benefit includes:

Medical services
Medications for symptom control
Support from a hospice team
Necessary medical equipment

Medicare will then continue to cover hospice care if the patient’s condition persists beyond six months, provided a doctor certifies the ongoing need.

Palliative care coverage is more variable, as it depends on the treatment plan and the individual’s Medicare benefits. Some aspects, such as doctor visits and medications for symptom relief, may be covered under Medicare Part B, but additional services like therapy or counseling might not be fully covered.

Can I Still Get Treatment for My Illness When Under Hospice or Palliative Care?

Hospice care shifts the focus entirely away from treatments that aim to cure and instead prioritizes comfort and quality of life during the final months. This doesn’t mean giving up care altogether—it just means stopping aggressive treatments like chemotherapy or dialysis and instead leaning into support that makes each day a bit easier. Pain relief, oxygen therapy, and medications for ongoing conditions like high blood pressure are still on the table, all aimed at keeping the patient as comfortable as possible.

Palliative care, however, offers a more flexible approach. It’s about balancing both worlds—continuing curative treatments while also managing the tough side effects that come with them. For example, someone battling cancer might still receive chemotherapy but also get palliative care to tackle nausea, pain, or fatigue. Simply put, this option allows patients to keep fighting their illness while getting the extra support they need to feel their best along the way.

Where Do I Receive Hospice vs Palliative Care?

Hospice care is highly flexible, typically provided in the patient’s home, nursing shelters, hospice facilities, or hospitals, focusing on comfort in the final stages of life.

Understanding what is the difference between palliative care and hospice helps clarify that palliative care offers similar flexibility but with broader access to different environments. Palliative care can be administered in hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, or directly at home, making it adaptable to patients at various stages of their illness, not just at the end of life.

Is Palliative Care the Same as End-of-Life?

While palliative care includes end-of-life care, it is not limited to it. Palliative care is a broad term encompassing any supportive care provided alongside curative treatments, from early diagnosis through advanced stages of illness. It helps manage symptoms, coordinate care, and support emotional and spiritual needs throughout the patient’s journey, not just at the end of life.

Hospice, on the other hand, is specifically designed for end-of-life care, usually provided when a patient’s illness is no longer curable, and the focus shifts entirely to comfort. The goal is to ensure the patient's remaining time is as fulfilling and peaceful as possible, providing comprehensive support to both the individual and their loved ones during this critical stage.

Palliative Care vs Hospice Care Summary

Aspect	Palliative Care	Hospice Care
Purpose	Enhances quality of life while managing symptoms.	Provides comfort during the end-of-life stage.
Eligibility	Available to anyone with a serious illness, regardless of prognosis.	For individuals with a terminal diagnosis and less than six months to live.
Treatment Approach	Can be provided alongside curative treatments.	Focuses solely on comfort, discontinuing curative treatments.
Settings	Available in hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, or at home.	Provided in homes, hospice facilities, hospitals, or nursing homes.
Care Team	Includes doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other specialists.	Multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers, spiritual advisors, and volunteers.
Medicare Coverage	Coverage depends on the treatment plan and benefits.	Fully covered under Medicare Part A if eligibility criteria are met.
Focus on End-of-Life	Not limited to end-of-life; available at any stage of illness.	Specifically for end-of-life care when the illness is no longer treatable.
Duration of Care	Provided as long as needed and can start at diagnosis.	Continues as long as the patient meets hospice criteria.
Type of Support	Manages symptoms, provides emotional and spiritual support, and coordinates care.	Focuses on pain relief, emotional support, and maintaining dignity.

Conclusion

Having to make a choice to ensure the best care for a loved one can be a tad bit overwhelming, especially when you are already drowning in emotions.

But understanding what is the difference between palliative care and hospice can definitely direct you to the path that truly aligns with your loved one's needs. Both do focus on giviing comfort and ensuring quality of life, but the key difference lies in the timing and type of support—may it be continuing their treatment with extra help or just prioritizing their peace in the final months.

If you’re unsure about which path to take, Olympia Hospice is here to help guide you through the process. We’re committed to offering compassionate, personalized care that honors your loved one’s journey. Contact us to learn more, get your questions answered, and ensure your loved one receives the support they deserve every step of the way.

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Does Hospice Give IV Fluids at Home?

By Ana Safarian • June 3, 2025

When a loved one is approaching the end of life, it's quite a common struggle to see that they are unable to digest food or hydrate themselves with water anymore. And so IV fluids, or intravenous hydration, are often done to replenish this and provide them the comfort they need. The choice to do them is usually made on a case-by-case basis. Factors such as the patient’s overall condition, goals of care, and quality of life come into play. This leads many to ask: does hospice give IV fluids at home? Well, the answer depends on several key considerations, including the patient’s needs, the hospice provider’s approach, and what ultimately aligns with comfort-focused care. In this guide, we’ll explore when and why IV fluids might be given at home during hospice, what alternatives exist, and how hydration is thoughtfully managed at the end of life. Do Hospice Patients Get IV Fluids? In hospice care, the main goal is to keep the patient as comfortable as possible, not to cure illness or extend life at all costs. Because of that, treatments like IV fluids are not always used. Instead of focusing on medical procedures, hospice teams focus on easing pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms that may come up near the end of life. Should You Give IV Fluids at End of Life? Choosing to give IV fluids at the end of life involves both medical reasoning and personal values. There have been discussions, new and old, regarding the ethics of providing water and needed calories to dying patients to sustain them even amidst this difficult period. Some families see fluids as a way to provide comfort or maintain a sense of care. Others may feel unsure about stopping them, especially when emotions are running high. If they are unable to communicate, families and care teams work together to make thoughtful choices that support comfort, peace, and dignity during the final stage of life. But if you're looking for a sound and medical reason for this question, the decision often comes down to what the patient seems to need at the moment. As the body nears its end , its natural functions begin to slow. This includes how it handles food, water, and fluids it basically needs less of these things as it transitions towards death. At this stage, the body often no longer needs or benefits from the same kind of hydration it once did. There has also been a 2023 study about fluid resuscitation that highlighted how large amounts of IV fluids can potentially cause electrolyte imbalance and hypervolemia (fluid or volume overload). Overhydration can lead to further organ dysfunction and would just worsen the state of the already-suffering patient. So, with all that being said, giving a hospice patient IV fluids won't really do any much help as their organs don't function properly anymore, and the liquid passed won't be turned into urine. Giving the patient fluids may sound like an empathetic decision, but truthfully, it just does more damage than good. Remember, hospice care focuses on reducing anything that might add stress to the body, especially if it doesn’t improve how the patient feels. Instead of using treatments like IV fluids that may place extra strain on the body, hospice teams shift their focus to comfort, using methods that are gentle and supportive. For families asking, does hospice give IV fluids at home , do understand that stopping fluids is not meant to cause harm. It’s often part of a thoughtful plan to avoid unnecessary interventions as the body prepares to rest. How Long Can a Hospice Patient Survive Without Fluids? The amount of time a person can live without fluids during hospice care depends on several factors, including their overall condition, illness, and how far along they are in the dying process. For some, it may be just a few days. For others, it could be a week or slightly longer. For instance, in 2003, a survey was implemented among hospice nurses in the Oregon area to draw substantial conclusions from the situations of their patients who opted to pursue food and fluid refusal to hasten the process of their passing. A good 85% of the patients died within 15 days of stopping food and water intake. At this point in their life, if there is no fluid or food added anymore, comfort is just the highest priority. So, Can Patients Have IV Fluids at Home? In some cases, yes, patients can receive IV fluids at home while under hospice care. However, this is not always offered by default. Each hospice program has its own policies, and decisions are guided by the care plan, patient needs, and what’s safe to manage in a home setting. If IV fluids are considered helpful, the hospice team will determine whether it’s possible to arrange the supplies, train caregivers, or assign a nurse to administer them. This usually happens only when fluids are expected to bring short-term relief without causing added discomfort. Families asking does hospice give IV fluids at home should speak directly with their hospice provider. Open communication helps clarify what’s available, what’s appropriate for the patient’s condition, and how best to support their comfort during this time. Who is Allowed to Administer an IV at Home? Administering IV fluids at home requires medical training. In most cases, a licensed nurse or hospice care provider is the one to place and manage the IV. This ensures the process is safe, sterile, and tailored to the patient’s needs. Some hospice programs may allow trained family members to assist with ongoing care after the IV is started, but this depends on the situation and local regulations. Safety protocols, such as infection control and proper monitoring, are essential whenever IV fluids are given at home. What Is the Alternative to IV Fluids at Home? When IV fluids are not used, there are simple ways to keep a patient comfortable without putting stress on the body. Hospice teams may suggest: Moistening the mouth with oral swabs dipped in water or a gentle mouthwash Offering ice chips to ease dryness, if the patient can safely handle them Providing small sips of water when swallowing is still possible Applying lip balm to prevent cracked or dry lips Using a cool mist humidifier to keep the air moist and reduce discomfort These methods don’t replace hydration but can relieve dry mouth and help the patient feel more at ease. How Do You Give Fluid to an End-of-Life Patient at Home? Providing gentle hydration at home starts with keeping the patient’s mouth and lips moist. A soft sponge or oral swab dipped in water can be used to moisten the inside of the mouth. If the person is alert and able to swallow, a spoonful of water or ice chips may be offered slowly and carefully. Always follow the guidance of the hospice team, as each patient’s needs and swallowing ability can vary. The focus is on comfort, not on meeting fluid intake goals. Small, thoughtful steps often provide more relief than larger medical interventions at this stage. Personalized Care, Thoughtful Guidance with Olympia Hospice At Olympia Hospice Care , we understand that families often ask difficult questions when trying to make the best choices for their loved ones. These decisions can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Our team is here to provide clear answers, compassionate support, and care that honors comfort, dignity, and peace. If you're considering hospice care at home and need guidance on hydration options or overall care planning, contact us today . We’re here to help you find the right path forward with confidence and care.