ThedaCare Experts Say Both Offer Specialized Care for Patients, Loved Ones

Hospice and palliative care often are used interchangeably in conversation. While both are valued services used when people are seriously ill, they serve slightly different purposes. ThedaCare is offering insights on when to use each service.

“Hospice and palliative care are both beautiful forms of medicine that focus on preserving quality of life and comfort measures when a person is dealing with a life-limiting illness,” said Nicole Benjamin Reddick, a Palliative Care Physician Assistant with ThedaCare.

It’s worthwhile to understand the details of both medical services even before a person or their loved one ever faces a serious illness, she said.

November is National Hospice & Palliative Care Month, an opportune time to encourage courageous conversations about end-of-life wishes and care planning, Reddick said, adding that such a conversation can take place any time.

“If you or a loved one face a serious illness, take the time to learn about these enhanced levels of care,” she said. “While they’re often grouped together, they’re not one and the same.”

Prioritizing Quality of Life

Both types of care support patients with serious health conditions and their families. They also share similar philosophies: honoring dignity, comfort and holistic well-being.

At the same time, the care types are distinct in timing, eligibility and goals. Understanding the differences may help families make informed choices during some of life’s most challenging moments.

At ThedaCare, hospice and palliative care are more than mere services, said Megan Rennie, Clinical Manager for ThedaCare at Home Hospice.

“Hospice is a philosophy of care that transforms how health systems approach the final chapter of life,” Rennie said. “ThedaCare aligns medical excellence with human compassion, making it an indispensable part of any truly patient-centered health care system.”

Palliative care is specialized medical care patients can receive along with curative treatments when confronted with serious medical conditions. Visits address physical and emotional symptoms as well as spiritual and resource barriers to improved quality of care. They also include a thorough conversation about patients’ medical goals.

Hospice care is a subset of palliative care intended for people nearing the end of life, typically with a life expectancy of six months or less. Individuals in hospice care transition from a curative approach to their condition to a comfort-based approach.

Choosing the Right Type of Care

Individuals and their loved ones may consider palliative care when they have a serious diagnosis like cancer, advanced heart or lung disease or neurodegenerative disease. The patient may undergo aggressive treatment options and yet experience challenges physically, emotionally or spiritually.

A person also may seek palliative care when they want help clarifying goals for care: what medical interventions make sense and how to balance benefits and burdens in decision-making.

Transitioning to hospice care may be appropriate when a loved one has a terminal diagnosis with a life expectancy of six months or less or the care focus shifts from curative treatment to comfort and quality of life. The patient typically prefers a supportive, peaceful environment, whether at home or in a hospice facility.

Accessing hospice or palliative care can be done in several ways, Reddick explained. Options include:

• Referral/request. Health care teams often consult a palliative care provider through hospital or outpatient settings. Individuals also can proactively request a consultation from their physician or advanced practice provider.
• Hospice eligibility. A physician must certify the six-month prognosis. This is appropriate for patients who no longer look for further curative therapies.
• Insurance coverage. Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurers cover hospice care fully under the Medicare Hospice Benefit. Palliative care services typically are billed under regular medical benefits (office visits, treatments and medications).

“Both hospice and palliative care serve the patient as well as their loved ones,” Rennie said. “This can help reduce the sense of isolation families often feel.”

A team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and more are available to prepare families for what to expect as their loved one experiences a progression of illness, changes in symptoms and the need or desire for additional support. 

Palliative care services often include dedicated outpatient provider support (in-home if appropriate and various clinic support) and inpatient care; telehealth support for rural community patients; and palliative care chaplain support.

ThedaCare’s hospice services can often include but aren’t limited to:

• Respite care to give caregivers a break
• 24/7 access to a highly trained nurse for questions, concerns or emergencies
• Spiritual care from chaplains
• Music, aroma and pet therapy to ease stress
• The Hopes & Dreams program, which creates lasting memories with personalized experiences or keepsakes to honor a loved one’s life and legacy
• Bereavement counseling and emotional support for family and caregivers

While most patients receive hospice care at home, Cherry Meadows in Appleton is an option for those who require a higher level of support. Inpatient hospice care is available for patients with unmanaged symptoms or caregiver respite needs.

ThedaCare At Home Hospice has earned a 4-Star Rating and a perfect 10/10 score on the Hospice Care Index, both published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. These nationally reported ratings reflect outstanding performance in both caregiver experience and clinical quality.

Reddick honors the crucial role of hospice and palliative care.

“We all value the relationship we develop with patients and their families throughout their medical journey,” she said. “We are here to lean on for support and guidance.”

To learn more about hospice and palliative care, please call (920) 702-6400 for hospice care and (920) 364-3600 for palliative care.

About ThedaCare

For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in northeast and central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including nine hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. ThedaCare is part of Froedtert ThedaCare, Wisconsin’s most comprehensive health care system.