Notre Dame Hospice Care provides comfort, compassion, companionship, and support to patients nearing end of life and their families, when a treatment or cure for an underlying disease is no longer available. Services are delivered by an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals who focus on addressing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs to improve quality of life.
Hospice is provided for a person with a terminal illness whose doctor believes he or she may have six months or less to live if the illness runs its natural course.
Like palliative care, hospice provides comprehensive comfort care as well as support for the family. However, in hospice, the focus is no longer on curative treatments or prolonging life. Hospice care focuses on comfort and achieving the highest quality of life for each individual.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care
Palliative Care
No life expectancy limit
Covered under traditional medical insurance or Medicare
More aggressive treatment of symtoms without compromising quality of life
Quality of life
Emotional, physical and spiritual support
Hospice Care
Life expectancy of 6 months or less
Covered under Medicare
Pain management to allow patient to die with dignity