What distinguishes hospice care from palliative care?

Hospice care is specifically designed for patients who are in the final stages of life, typically with a prognosis of six months or less to live. This focus differentiates hospice from palliative care, which can be provided at any stage of a serious illness and may be used alongside curative treatments. Palliative care aims to enhance the quality of life for patients by addressing pain and other distressing symptoms without necessarily being limited by the stage of the disease or life expectancy.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately define the key differences between hospice and palliative care. Provision of curative treatments is a hallmark of palliative care and is not characteristic of hospice. Hospice care involves a more pronounced focus on end-of-life comfort rather than solely physical wellness, as it encompasses emotional, spiritual, and psychological support as well. Immediate cessation of all treatments does not accurately reflect the philosophy of hospice, as some comfort measures and symptom management interventions may still be employed to ensure the patient's quality of life remains a priority.