Hospice Care Compared to Medical Treatment

  Hospice Care Medical Treatment
Primary Focus Patient’s quality of life: physical, emotional, spiritual Patient’s physical illness
Attitude Towards Death Part of the normal process of living Failure of medical treatment
Physical care Palliative care: seeks to relieve pain and physical discomfort, neither prolongs life nor hastens death Curative care: seeks to prolong life, intensive care can involve pain and physical discomfort
Emotional and Spiritual Support Integral to hospice care Ancillary to physical treatment
Setting Almost always in the home; also can be in nursing facilities or assisted living settings Mostly at hospitals or clinics
Involvement of Family and Friends with Patient Integral to hospice care Ancillary to treatment
Support for Family and Friends Integral to hospice care Ancillary to treatment
After Death Bereavement care offered to family and friends for over a year Death concludes treatment

Need Help?

United Hospice is happy to answer any questions you have, provide our locations in the Southeast, and assist you with your needs related to transitioning the care of a loved one.

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Resources

Helpful information on Pallitative Care, Grieving and Professional Hospice.