Glossary of Hospice and Palliative Care Terms
When it comes to Palliative Care vs Hospice, there are many shared terms and nuances that are similar. On the other hand, the differences between hospice and palliative care themselves are relatively straightforward.
This glossary of commonly used hospice and palliative care terms defines key terminology associated with end-of-life care. The hospice and palliative care fields often overlap and share similar concepts and practices, such as providing comfort and relieving pain for individuals with terminal or serious illnesses. Key terms that are defined in this glossary include hospice care, palliative care, do not resuscitate (DNR), hospice and palliative care teams, comfort care, advance directives, and terminal illness. The glossary also includes definitions for other important concepts such as bereavement services, hospice eligibility, respite care, and palliative sedation. Understanding these definitions can help individuals and their loved ones navigate end-of-life care options and make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Hospice Care Terms
- Hospice Care: A type of care that focuses on providing support and comfort to individuals who are facing a life-limiting illness, generally in the terminal stages of their disease.
- Palliative Care: A type of care that is focused on relieving pain, symptoms, and stress that occur during a serious illness or medical treatment, and can be given at any time during an illness, not just in the end-of-life stage.
- Do Not Resuscitate (DNR): A medical order that informs healthcare providers not to perform CPR if a patient’s breathing or heart stops.
- Hospice Team: A group of healthcare professionals who work together to provide hospice care services. This can include doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, home health aides, and volunteers.
- Palliative Care Team: Similar to the hospice team, it includes healthcare professionals who work together to provide palliative care services.
- Hospice House: A special type of hospice care facility that provides round-the-clock comfort care and support for individuals nearing the end of life.
End of Life
- End-of-Life Care: Care provided during the terminal stages of a person’s life, designed to make them comfortable and relieve symptoms.
- Advance Directive: A legal document that outlines a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care.
- Comfort Care: Medical care focused on providing physical and emotional comfort to individuals, rather than curative treatment.
- Terminal Illness: A disease or condition that cannot be cured and is expected to cause death within a defined period of time.
Other Key Terms
- Bereavement Services: Services provided to family members, loved ones, and caregivers after the death of a hospice or palliative care patient, aiming to support them through their grieving process.
- Respite Care: Short-term hospice care that provides temporary relief to caregivers of hospice patients.
- Palliative Sedation: The use of medication to relieve severe and intractable symptoms in patients.
- Hospice Eligibility: The criteria that a patient must meet to qualify for hospice care, including a life expectancy of six months or less.
Palliative Care vs Hospice
We want our patients and their families to be informed when it comes to making a decision about the hospice care of a terminally ill patient. To learn more about our services or to schedule a free assessment, please contact us at 972.353.0800 or send us a message.
