November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month—a time to highlight the importance of comfort for those facing serious illness and to celebrate the compassionate care provided by HopeWest teams. Our dedicated professionals ensure that patients and their families receive the highest standard of care. By informing families about the benefits of hospice and palliative care, we help them discover new strength, confidence, and reassurance during otherwise challenging times.
It’s important to recognize that these programs offer months of support throughout the stages of illness, not just in the final days of life. Understanding the basics of both programs will help you decide if hospice or palliative care might benefit you or a loved one.
Both programs prioritize managing pain and symptoms through care management and relieving the burden of serious illness. They also address physical, emotional, and spiritual needs through the support of a dedicated care team to ultimately improve the quality of life for patients while supporting their families, too.
One of the most basic differences between these programs is that hospice provides care to patients facing terminal illness who no longer seek curative treatment and whose doctors believe they have a prognosis of six months or less to live. In contrast, palliative care is for anyone with a serious illness at any stage and can be provided while actively pursuing curative treatment.
Hospice and palliative care teams provide care to patients wherever they reside, including at home, assisted living facilities or nursing homes, and hospitals. However, only HopeWest hospice patients can access the Ferris Care Center, the only inpatient hospice care facility in western Colorado.
Sometimes, patients and families approach hospice and palliative care with hesitation, apprehensive of what’s to come, or worried they might be “giving up.” Guided by caregivers like Gabby Maldonado, a HopeWest hospice nurse, families have open conversations to get a better picture of what to expect from hospice or palliative care.
“I want to provide education and support my patients and their families through this journey—a relationship built on a foundation of honesty and compassion,” said Gabby. “Seeing families change their views about hospice or palliative care and empowering them to care for their loved one confidently is so beautiful.”
While our caregivers are specially trained in end-of-life care and know what to expect, they recognize this is often an unfamiliar experience for families. That’s why education, listening, and responding to concerns are so valued.