Comfort Care at Home | Palliative Care Explained

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care focuses on treating the pain, symptoms, and emotional effects of a serious illness at any stage. It’s not the same as hospice care. While palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments, hospice care is reserved for those nearing the end of life.

This type of care is designed to help people:

Feel more comfortable physically and emotionally
Better understand their condition and options
Coordinate treatment among different doctors and specialists

Our approach blends comfort care with skilled medical attention, bringing relief and reassurance to both patients and their families.

Comfort care volunteer helping lady with cane walking outside

Person holding the hands of another in a wheelchair while getting holistic care

Palliative Care Services

At Tender Care, every patient receives a personalized plan based on their condition, goals, and preferences. Services may include:

Pain and symptom management
Medication review and coordination
Emotional and psychological support
Spiritual care, if requested
Communication with your physician or specialists
Education and guidance for family caregivers
Help navigate care decisions or next steps

We believe in whole-person care, and our team works closely with each family to ensure needs are met with compassion and clarity.

Who Benefits from Palliative Care?

Palliative care is appropriate for individuals at any age and at any stage of a serious illness. It’s especially helpful for those living with:

Advanced heart disease
COPD or chronic lung conditions
Cancer (at any stage)
Kidney failure
Neurological conditions like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s
Multiple chronic conditions

Our palliative care services also provide crucial holistic care addressing the emotional, psychological, and spiritual challenges that can arise alongside physical symptoms.

Palliative Care vs Hospice Care

While palliative care and hospice care share similar goals of improving quality of life and providing comfort, there are some key differences between the two.

	Palliative Care	Hospice Care
When it begins	Care can be done any time during a serious illness	Final stages of a terminal illness
Treatment type	Can be combined with curative treatments	Focuses on comfort only (no curative care)
Location	At home, hospital, or facility	Primarily at home or hospice facility
Goal	Improve quality of life, manage symptoms	Provide comfort and support near end-of-life

Elderly lady kissing the forehead while in comfort care of younger girl

Are palliative care and hospice the same?

No. While palliative care and hospice care both focus on comfort, they are not the same. Palliative care can begin at any stage of a serious illness and may be provided alongside curative treatments. Hospice care is designed for patients who are nearing the end of life and are no longer pursuing curative treatments.

Can palliative care be done at home?

Yes. Palliative care at home allows patients to receive the same level of support and comfort they would in a clinical setting, while remaining in familiar surroundings. Our team provides medical guidance, emotional support, and holistic care directly in the patient’s home.

What are palliative care services?

Palliative care services are designed to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. These may include:

Pain and symptom management
Emotional and spiritual support
Assistance with medications and treatments
Care coordination with doctors and specialists
Guidance for families in making care decisions

How does palliative care work?

Palliative care works by addressing the whole person and not just their medical needs. Our team takes a holistic care approach, focusing on pain relief, symptom control, emotional well-being, and family support. The goal is to bring comfort, dignity, and peace of mind during the challenges of serious illness.

What conditions are commonly supported with palliative care?

Palliative care is often provided to patients facing cancer, advanced heart failure, COPD or other lung diseases, stroke, dementia, ALS, and other chronic or serious illnesses. The focus is always on managing symptoms and supporting both the patient and family.

Is palliative care considered holistic care?

Yes. Palliative care takes a holistic approach, caring for the whole person physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. The goal is not only to manage symptoms but also to improve overall well-being and support the family.

Does insurance cover palliative care services?

In many cases, yes. Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans cover some or all palliative care services. Our team can help families understand what is included under their coverage.

Can palliative care be provided alongside other treatments?

Yes. Unlike hospice, palliative care can be delivered while patients continue to receive treatments such as chemotherapy, dialysis, or other therapies. It is designed to enhance comfort and quality of life while medical treatments are ongoing.

Palliative Care