Heart failure is a chronic condition with no cure. Because the condition continues to get worse, you will reach a point when you need to consider palliative and hospice care. Palliative care and hospice care are similar, but not the same.
What is palliative care?
As you get to more advanced stages of heart failure (especially Stage D or New York Heart Association Functional Class III or IV), you may have much more trouble living with heart failure. You may lack energy, need frequent naps, and your symptoms may keep you from doing normal activities like cooking, cleaning, showering and shopping.
Palliative care is a medical service that is focused on reducing symptoms so you are more comfortable. Palliative care can start at any time. It is usually considered when you have advanced heart failure, but you do not have to be at the end of your life. The goal of palliative care is to help you have the best quality of life possible.
Palliative care involves treatment with your normal medications. You may also start new treatments to help you sleep and relieve constipation, anxiety and other symptoms caused by heart failure and other medical conditions you have. This type of care is offered by home health nurses as part of at-home care, or in a doctor’s office. If you are in the hospital, the palliative care team can start or change your care plan during your hospital stay.
What is hospice care?
Hospice care is a type of comfort care designed to keep you as comfortable as possible for as long as you can tolerate treatment. This type of care can begin when end of life is expected within 6 months. Hospice care involves a team approach to help with medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual needs. The team also helps family members by offering support and help with coping and preparing for the future.
Hospice care can take place in your home or in a healthcare facility such as a hospice center, hospital or long-term care facility. Team members will visit you on a regular basis and are on-call 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
For more information or to request palliative or hospice care, talk to your healthcare provider or social worker.
