Our Approach
Our Hospice and Palliative Care teams work to improve the quality of life for patients facing life limiting and terminal illnesses. One of our core values is Respect For Life, which means that we prioritize treating each person with respect, compassion and dignity in life from conception to illness and throughout the end phases of life.
What is the difference between Palliative Care and Hospice?
Patients often confuse palliative care with hospice care. Hospice care begins only after the patient is diagnosed as terminally ill. It is intended to help them have the best possible quality of life when it has been determined that nothing can be done medically to cure their illness. Hospice Care can begin once someone has been diagnosed as terminally ill and has decided to stop medical treatment that is intended to cure illness or extend life, through signing a "do not resuscitate," or DNR order.
Palliative Care on the other hand doesn't wait until a terminal diagnosis. It can begin in the hospital and can be provided along with medical treatments that are meant to cure illness or extend life. Someone can receive Palliative Care services before advance directives are established.
