At Home Health and Hospice of Montana, our Palliative Care and Hospice care are patient and family centered approaches that aim to enhance quality of life by anticipating, treating, and preventing pain and suffering. It involves tending to the complete needs of the individual while fostering dignity and independence and facilitating access to information and decision making throughout the duration of the illness.

Palliative Care vs Hospice Care

• Palliative care is a service we provide at Home Health and Hospice of Montana. The method of providing palliative care differs from that of Hospice care. Despite their shared goal of enhancing quality of life, patients who receive palliative care are not in the final stages of life.
• Palliative care patients may still undergo aggressive medical treatments with the goal of extending life or seeking a cure.
• Patients receiving Palliative care may at one point face a progressive cognitive or physical decline. At this stage of the disease process, a patient may meet the criteria for Hospice care. When this occurs the Palliative care team will offer guidance on the Medicare benefit and the patient’s entitlements. Hospice care is designed to prioritize comfort and provide treatment within the patient’s home.
• If the patient transitions to hospice, that costs will be fully covered by Medicare.
• If you believe your loved one may qualify for hospice care and have further inquiries, please feel free to visit our office or contact us by phone.