Palliative Care Vs End-of-life-care (EOLC)

People are often confused with Palliative care and End of life care (Hospice care). In this article we are going to discuss how both of them are different from each other. Palliative care and end-of-life care are two distinct but closely related aspects of healthcare that focus on providing support and comfort to individuals facing serious illnesses, particularly those with life-limiting conditions. Both are important for a patient’s treatment journey, to be precise - Palliative care is a very broad term and EOLC is a small part of it.  

Here's a brief overview of both:
 

Timing:

• Palliative Care - Palliative care can be started at any point after an illness is diagnosed alongside curative treatment. Think of palliative care as an extra layer of support for your entire journey
• EOLC- End-of-life care is administered when it becomes clear that a patient is in the final stages of their life, often when curative treatments are no longer effective or when the patient chooses to discontinue them.
   

Focus:

• Palliative Care - The primary goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life for patients facing serious, chronic, or life-threatening illnesses. It focuses on relief of distressing symptoms, such as pain, nausea, and shortness of breath etc, emotional and psychological support, and improving the overall wellbeing of the patient and their family members.
• EOLC- End-of-life care focuses on relief of distressing symptoms, such as pain, nausea, and shortness of breath etc, ensuring comfort, dignity, and emotional support of the patient and their family members in their final days or weeks.
   

Treatment Goals:

• Palliative care - aims to make the patient as comfortable as possible while addressing their physical, emotional, and psychological needs. It may also include helping patients and families make informed decisions about their care and discussing their goals and preferences, Advance care planning and caregiver support.
• EOLC- End-of-life care aims to provide comfort, pain management, and symptom relief. It emphasizes providing a peaceful and meaningful experience for the patient during their last moments.
   

Location: 

• Palliative care - can be provided in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and the patient's own home.
• Just like Palliative care End-of-life care can also be provided in hospice settings, at home, or in specialized end-of-life care facilities.
   

Duration:

• Palliative care - can be provided for an extended period, sometimes for years, depending on the patient's condition and needs.

• End-of-life care- is typically provided in the final weeks or months of life, but the duration can vary based on the individual's condition and needs.
  
  In summary, palliative care is a comprehensive approach that can be initiated at any stage of a serious illness to improve the patient's quality of life and comfort, while end-of-life care is a specialized form of care provided when a patient is in the final stages of their life, with a focus on ensuring a peaceful and meaningful experience. Both forms of care are essential in providing holistic support to individuals with serious illnesses.

   

At Fortis Hospital Gurugram, our experienced and specialised team of palliative care physicians are assisted with state-of-the-art technology to ensure they can carry out both- palliative care and end of life care in the best possible way. We strive to minimise the distress and pain faced by not only the individual, but also the family. Book a consultation today for a seamless experience for the same.