Fact Sheets and Resources
There are lot’s of common misconceptions about hospice and palliative care. Below are helpful resources to help you understand exactly what serious illness care is, and how it serves patients and care givers across the country.
Palliative care is available to anyone, at any stage: patients can access palliative care at any stage of their illness to receive treatments and therapies to improve their quality of life ( Health.com )
There are 4 various levels of hospice care: Routine Home, Continuous Home, Inpatient Respite, General Inpatient (Medicare.gov)
Hospice care is provided by a range of providers: doctors, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, chaplains, pharmacists, therapists, and volunteer (National Institute on Aging)
Palliaitve care is an unmet, global need: only 14% of patients who need palliative care receive it (World Health Organization)
Hospice care offers better end of life outcomes: Studies show hospice usage during the last 6-months of life is associated with improved patient and family experience including pain control, increased family satisfaction, decreased ICU visits, and lower mortality rates. (National Library of Medicines)
Hospice reduces healthcare costs – especially for Medicare patients: It is estimated Medicare spending for those who received hospice care was $3.5 billion less than it would have been had they not received hospice care. (Alliance for Care at Home)
Myth VS. Fact
1. Palliative care is only for people that are dying
Palliative care is available to anyone with a serious illness at any stage, even if they are receiving treatment (National Institute on Aging )
2. You can’t stop hospice care once you begin
Patients can stop hospice care at any time and resume curative treatments if they choose. Hospice is not a permanent decision. (Medicare.gov )
3. Hospice and palliative care are only for seniors
You can receive hospice and palliative care at any age (National Alliance for Care at Home)
4. Hospice care only includes one nurse
Hospice provides a care team including nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers to support both the patient and family. (Hospice Foundation of America)
5. Palliative care is a replacement for life-saving treatments
Palliative care works alongside treatments and therapies to help produce a better quality of life. (World Health Organization)
Not So Frequently Asked Questions
-
Palliative care is for anyone with a serious illness, at any stage. It focuses on improving quality of life and can be provided alongside curative treatments. Hospice care is a specific type of palliative care for people nearing the end of life who are no longer seeking curative treatment.
Source: National Institute on Aging -
Palliative care can be introduced at any stage of a serious illness, not just at the end of life. It’s especially helpful for managing symptoms, stress, and side effects from treatment.
Source: Health.com -
Yes. Palliative care is designed to work alongside your treatments. Its goal is to help you feel better physically and emotionally while you continue care for your illness.
Source: World Health Organization -
No! Hospice care is available to individuals of all ages who meet the medical criteria, including children and young adults with serious or terminal illnesses.
Source: National Alliance for Care at Home -
Yes. Choosing hospice is not a permanent decision. You can leave hospice at any time and return to curative treatment if your condition changes.
Source: Medicare.gov -
Hospice care is delivered by a full care team that may include doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, pharmacists, dietitians, therapists, and volunteers.
Source: National Institute on Aging -
There are four levels of hospice care: Routine Home Care, Continuous Home Care, General Inpatient Care, and Inpatient Respite Care. Each level is designed to meet different patient needs.
Source: Medicare.gov -
Globally, only 14% of people who need palliative care receive it. Increasing access can improve quality of life and support for millions facing serious illness.
Source: World Health Organization -
Yes! Hospice care is proven to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. For example, successful discharge rates from hospice increased from 16.0% in 2020 to 19.0% in 2024.
Source: CMS Hospice Monitoring Report
