National Hospice and Palliative Care Month highlights the importance of understanding care options

Confusion about hospice and palliative care remains common, despite both services playing an important role in helping people navigate serious illness. A population-based survey published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine found that 39 percent of respondents were unsure whether palliative care requires a person to stop medical treatment for their illness, highlighting persistent misconceptions about care designed to improve quality of life and support patients and families facing complex medical decisions.
Observed each November, National Hospice and Palliative Care Month raises awareness about services that provide symptom management, decision-making support and compassionate care for individuals living with serious illnesses. While the terms are often used together, hospice and palliative care serve different purposes and can benefit patients at different stages of their health care journey.
Palliative care is a medical specialty focused on relieving symptoms and helping patients understand their treatment options while living with serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease or kidney disease. Unlike hospice care, palliative care can be provided alongside treatments intended to cure disease or prolong life.
“Palliative care is not a destination. We’re the navigator,” said Kristen Jerabek, NP, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, Aspirus. “There are many possible paths that come with a serious illness. We help patients and families understand their options, think through important decisions and make sure their care reflects what matters most to them.”
Patients are often referred to palliative care after being diagnosed with an advanced illness, experiencing progression of a disease or facing decisions about future treatment. Palliative care teams help patients prepare for potential scenarios before a crisis occurs, allowing individuals and families to make informed choices that align with their goals and values.

Hospice care, meanwhile, is a Medicare benefit available to patients whose physicians believe they have six months or less to live if their illness follows its expected course. Hospice focuses on comfort, symptom management and quality of life rather than treatments intended to prolong life. Hospice care is delivered by an interdisciplinary team that may include physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, chaplains and certified nursing assistants.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that hospice takes away all medications or that everyone is put on morphine,” said Hilary Scully, MD, Hospice and Palliative Medical Director, Aspirus. “Hospice care is highly individualized. We look at each patient’s symptoms, diagnosis and goals. The focus is on helping people live the life they have left instead of living their disease process.”
In addition to managing physical symptoms, hospice teams address emotional, social and spiritual needs that often accompany serious illness. Support extends to family members and caregivers, including bereavement services that continue for up to 13 months following a patient’s death as part of the Medicare hospice benefit.
Both hospice and palliative care specialists encourage patients and families to ask questions and discuss their wishes early. Understanding available options before a medical crisis can help reduce uncertainty, improve communication and ensure care decisions reflect the goals and values of the person receiving care.
For more information about Aspirus hospice services visit aspirus.org/hospice-services and for palliative care services, visit aspirus.org/palliative-care.