Hospice Care vs. Palliative Care

Who is Eligible for Palliative Care Services?

Patients are eligible for the Palliative Care of Rockland Program if they have a serious illness and:

1. do not meet the criteria for hospice (i.e. longer than six month prognosis, seeking curative treatment, etc.); or
2. are eligible for hospice but do not desire hospice services; or
3. are an inpatient palliative care patient who has been discharged from the hospital.

Examples of Patients Who Have Benefited From Palliative Care:

Many, if not all seriously ill patients could benefit from palliative care services to complement their life-prolonging therapy. The two cases below illustrate the range of interventions provided:

• Mr. G was a 65-year-old man diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. The family declined hospice services because they were focused on pursuing whatever life-prolonging treatments might be available. Mr. G was subsequently referred to palliative care. The family would not agree to the issuance of a "do not resuscitate" order.  He was assessed by the physician and nurse to insure adequate symptom relief. The social worker provided the family with much needed emotional support and the spiritual care coordinator provided support as well. The family was guided through the options available and the benefits and burdens of the various options were explained to them. The social worker helped the family to come to terms with the patient’s prognosis, a DNR was completed and the family was supported.
• Ms. S was referred to the Palliative Care of Rockland program by a friend. She had emphysema, severe respiratory infections and required oxygen. The multiple medications that she required for her chronic illness made her very anxious and irritable. Any small activity made her short of breath. Her condition rendered her housebound. When the Palliative Care Nurse first visited Ms. S, she found her to be very sick and confused about what medications to take and when to take them. Ms. S was taking some medications at night that were keeping her awake. She was uncertain as to the purpose of some of her medications. Getting to the doctor was difficult because she had such a hard time managing the portable oxygen as she tried to maneuver herself into a taxi cab.  All of this increased her anxiety and frustration. The Palliative Care Nurse coordinated Ms. S's care and teaching with her primary physician and her pulmonary specialist. The Palliative Care Nurse gave Ms. S a list of all of her medications detailing when to take them and what they were for. Palliative Care of Rockland Volunteers assisted Ms. S by driving her to her doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping for her, and playing cards with her. Palliative Care of Rockland’s Social Worker assisted Ms. S with completing a health care proxy and living will. As Ms. S's physical condition improved, the Palliative Care Nurse referred her for pulmonary rehabilitation, which she attended with the help of a volunteer driving her.  Thanks to the Palliative Care of Rockland Program, Ms. S's physical and emotional state has improved greatly. She continues to look forward to all of the visits by the various team members.

When is the Right Time to Call?

The sooner we become involved, the sooner we can help. We will contact your doctor and meet with you to help determine the right time for services to begin. Call us now - we are ready to help.