What is the difference between palliative care and hospice?

The main difference is timing and the goal of care. According to the National Cancer Institute, palliative care can begin at any point during cancer treatment—from diagnosis to the end of life—and a person may continue to receive cancer treatment while getting it. Hospice care begins when curative treatment is no longer the goal of care and the sole focus is quality of life.

In other words, palliative care and hospice are not the same thing. Palliative care is meant to improve quality of life for anyone with a serious disease such as cancer, regardless of age or stage of disease. It can be given with or without treatment meant to cure the cancer.

If a person and their care team do decide to move from treatment meant to cure or control the disease to hospice care, palliative care can help with that transition—preparing them for physical changes that may occur near the end of life, helping them cope with thoughts and emotions, and providing support for family members and caregivers.

Your healthcare team can explain which type of care fits your situation and goals.