Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care. What is the difference? Use the guidelines below to help you determine which type of care is best for you or your loved one. Download guide (PDF).
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Services
Palliative Care
Hospice Care
- Admission team member visits the home to enroll patients.
- A nurse practitioner will visit within seven days of admission.
- A nurse practitioner will visit every month or more for symptom and medication management.
- A social worker will help with advance care planning, accessing community resource and mental health needs.
- Registered nurse support is available by phone 24/7.
- Optio Health Services offers disease specific care programs.
- If needed, we make it easy to transfer into hospice care.
- Palliative care nurse practitioner can also serve as hospice provider.
- Admission team member visits the home to enroll patients.
- Four levels of care: routine, general inpatient care, continuous care and inpatient respite.
- The Denver Hospice offers a 24-suite, state-of-the-art inpatient care center.
- Full-time employed physicians, nurse practitioners, RNs, CNAs, social workers and chaplains.
- Teams of experienced professionals available 24/7.
- Durable medical equipment, supplies and medications for symptom control.
- Over 300 volunteers providing integrative therapies: aromatherapy, Reiki, calming touch, music and pet therapy.
- Thirteen-months of bereavement services: adult and children.
Eligibility
Palliative Care
Hospice Care
- Life limiting illness – may still be pursuing treatment/aggressive interventions
- Serious disease progression
- Multiple hospitalizations/ER visits
- Declining ability to complete ADLs
- Uncertainty regarding prognosis
- Uncertainty regarding goals of care
- DNR order conflicts
- Weight loss
- Prognosis/Diagnosis of 6 months or less
- Must have a life-limiting illness such as: Cancer , Heart Disease, COPD, HIV/AIDS, Kidney Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Liver Disease
- Typically, would like alignment with DNR, but not required for routine care.
- Goals of care aligned with no longer pursuing treatment/aggressive interventions. PT, OT and ST (limited – for comfort only).
- Failure to Thrive and Debility are no longer hospice diagnoses under Medicare guidelines
Care Team
Palliative Care
Hospice Care
- Nurse Practitioner – monthly visits or more frequent if needed
- Registered Nurse – phone support
- Social Worker – scheduled as needed
- Medical Director/Attending Physician
- Admissions Nurse
- Clinical Manager and RN Case Manager
- Social Worker
- Chaplain
- Certified Nurse Assistant
- Volunteer