Palliative care and hospice care both focus on comfort and quality of life, but they support patients and families at different stages of illness.
For someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, palliative care can begin at any stage of the disease and can be provided alongside ongoing medical treatment. The goal is to help the person feel as comfortable and supported as possible while helping families navigate changing needs.
Palliative care may help manage symptoms such as pain, anxiety, agitation, sleep difficulties, and constipation. The care team can also provide support with medication management, nutrition and swallowing concerns, advance care planning, and decisions about future care.
Just as importantly, palliative care supports caregivers and families. Alzheimer’s is a journey that affects everyone involved, and having an experienced care team can provide guidance, reassurance, and an added layer of support along the way.
When Does Hospice Care Begin?
Hospice care is designed for people who are approaching the end of life and whose care is focused primarily on comfort rather than curative treatment. Medicare generally requires a physician to certify a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness follows its expected course.
For someone with advanced Alzheimer’s disease or dementia who qualifies for hospice, care may include nursing support, symptom management, emotional and spiritual care, caregiver education, and guidance through the final stages of the disease.
While palliative and hospice care are different, they share an important goal: helping each person live with as much comfort, dignity, and quality of life as possible.
October: Lewy Body Dementia Awareness Month
October is Lewy Body Dementia Awareness Month, an important reminder that dementia can look different from person to person.
Lewy body dementia (LBD) may cause changes in thinking and alertness, hallucinations, movement difficulties, and sleep disturbances. Some individuals may also be particularly sensitive to certain medications.
Understanding these differences allows palliative and hospice teams to personalize care, manage distressing symptoms, and focus on what brings the greatest comfort and quality of life.
Make a Plan Early
Families do not have to wait until the final stages of dementia to begin conversations about comfort and future care. Palliative care can provide support earlier in the disease, while hospice may become appropriate as Alzheimer’s or another dementia progresses and eligibility requirements are met.
Starting these conversations early gives families time to understand their options, prepare for changing needs, and make decisions that honor their loved one’s wishes, values, comfort, and dignity.
Jeanne Scheel, APN – Palliative Program Director at Angels Grace Hospice & Palliative Care – explains the difference between palliative care and hospice care for Alzheimer’s Disease:
Please get in touch with any questions.