What’s the difference between a care home and a hospice?
Many people wonder what the difference between a care home and a hospice is – and which option is right for them. This question becomes even more relevant when a person is reaching the end of their life and may require specialist care.
In this blog post, we provide information on palliative care in Chadwell Health, Romford and how it can provide emotional, physical, spiritual and psychological support during this sensitive chapter.
What is a hospice?
A hospice is a place where a person can receive compassionate care as they approach the end of their life. Rather than attempting to cure the person’s illness, it focuses on providing comfort and improving the quality of life for a person who has been diagnosed with a serious, terminal illness. It is typically provided to those who are in the final stages of their illness, making sure the time they have left is as comfortable as possible. In addition to looking after the person diagnosed, a hospice also provides support to the family.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is specialist care provided to those living with a life-threatening or serious illness – such as cancer or dementia. Unlike hospice care, it can be provided at any stage in a person’s illness. The aim of palliative care is to improve the quality of life and help alleviate symptoms so that a person can be as comfortable as possible during their final weeks, months or years. In addition to looking after physical symptoms, palliative care also offers emotional, psychological and spiritual support. Family members can also enjoy peace of mind, knowing that their loved one is in safe and qualified hands during this difficult time.
Choosing where to receive care
Choosing where to receive care is an important decision. Living well and ultimately dying peacefully is a top priority for the ageing population. Both care homes and hospices seek to look after the whole person as a unique individual, enhance their quality of life and maintain their dignity. When choosing to receive care, it’s important to consider what stage in the illness you’re at and whether that illness is incurable.
Our palliative care services
For over 40 years, we’ve been providing compassionate end of life and palliative care to those in need. All carers undergo sensitive ‘death, dying and bereavement’ training so that we can support your loved one with the respect and dignity they deserve. We will even coordinate with a wider team of healthcare professionals to ensure that proper care is in place and that your loved one’s time is as peaceful as possible. Family members and other loved ones can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their loved one is being well-cared for. This also allows visits to be centred around spending quality time together rather than focusing on care aspects.
Get in touch
If you or a loved one are in need of palliative care, we are here for your family during this sensitive and emotional time. Please feel free to get in touch or give us a call on either 0800 999 8499 or 0208 597 4175 to learn more about how we can help. Our compassionate staff would be pleased to answer any of your questions.