1.0 Introduction
1.1 Definition
1.1.1 Hospice Care
Hospice care refers to an exceptional program that offers care services to individuals who are fatally ill and their family members. It is offered to patients who have been acknowledged by doctors as having completely exhausted all forms of cure there is and they are destined to die. These services include mental, emotional, spiritual physical and medical support which are aimed at ensuring maximum comfort and hope to the dying patients as well as to their loved ones. It basically helps in coping and adjusting with the challenges at hand. Such terminal diseases include cancer, HIV/AIDS, heart or kidney failures among others.
1.1.2 Palliative care
Palliative care refers to a specialty that aims at offering relief to seriously ill patients from painful and stressful symptoms. Such symptoms include physical pains, loss of breath, sleep or appetite, tiredness, nausea and many others. It helps a patient comprehend the options of their treatment.
1.1.3 Comparison
Hospice care is offered to patients whose diseases have been confirmed terminal hence medical cure is no more considered important, while palliative care is offered at any period, not necessarily in the worst stage of the illness. It can start right from diagnosis, throughout cure to hospice. However, they are both focused on improving the quality of life of the patients and loved ones by providing extra comfort and strength to overcome the challenges at stake.
1.2 Goals
Hospice and palliative care have several goals. First and foremost, they are aimed at improving the quality of life of the patients and their loved ones by ensuring maximum comfort and support in all aspects of life. The idea is not to extend their lives but rather to provide the most comfortable last days. Also, the cares aim at providing friendly and compassionate care to the patients. They work as