Compare Care Options
A quick, side by side guide to help you choose the right level of support.
At a Glance
| Home Health | Hospice | Palliative Care | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Recover function, safety, and independence | Comfort-focused care at end of life; relief of symptoms and stress | Improve quality of life at any stage of serious illness while continuing treatments |
| Typical Patient | Homebound patient after illness/surgery or with a new/worsening condition | Patient with life-limiting illness and a prognosis of ~6 months or less (if illness follows natural course) | Patient with serious illness who has burdensome symptoms or stress from treatment |
| Where Care Happens | Patient’s home or residence | Patient’s home/residence, facility, or inpatient for short-term needs | Wherever the patient receives care (clinic/home) |
| Services | Skilled nursing, PT/OT/ST, medication teaching, disease management | Medical oversight, symptom management, nursing, home health aide, social work, spiritual support, volunteers, related meds/equipment, respite, bereavement | Symptom management, care planning, emotional support; may work alongside treating specialists |
| Treatment Focus | Curative/rehabilitative | Comfort/quality of life (not curative) | Can be alongside curative treatments |
| Frequency | Intermittent, scheduled visits | Scheduled visits + 24/7 on-call support | Intermittent visits; coordination with existing providers |
| Who Pays | Medicare/Medicaid/most private insurance (when criteria met) | Medicare covers at 100% for eligible patients; Medicaid/private plans similar | Medicare/Medicaid/private plans often cover when medically necessary |
| Length of Service | Short term, episode-based | Ongoing while eligible and aligned with goals | Variable, based on need |
Home Health
Primary Goal
- Recover function, safety, and independence
Typical Patient
- Homebound patient after illness/surgery or with a new/worsening condition
Where Care Happens
- Patient’s home or residence
Services
- Skilled nursing, PT/OT/ST, medication teaching, disease management
Treatment Focus
- Curative/rehabilitative
Frequency
- Intermittent, scheduled visits
Who Pays
- Medicare/Medicaid/most private insurance (when criteria met)
Length of Service
- Short term, episode-based
Hospice
Primary Goal
- Comfort-focused care at end of life; relief of symptoms and stress
Typical Patient
- Patient with life-limiting illness and a prognosis of ~6 months or less (if illness follows natural course)
Where Care Happens
- Patient’s home/residence, facility, or inpatient for short-term needs
Services
- Medical oversight, symptom management, nursing, home health aide, social work, spiritual support, volunteers, related meds/equipment, respite, bereavement
Treatment Focus
- Comfort/quality of life (not curative)
Frequency
- Scheduled visits + 24/7 on-call support
Who Pays
- Medicare covers at 100% for eligible patients; Medicaid/private plans similar
Length of Service
- Ongoing while eligible and aligned with goals
Palliative Care
Primary Goal
- Improve quality of life at any stage of serious illness while continuing treatments
Typical Patient
- Patient with serious illness who has burdensome symptoms or stress from treatment
Where Care Happens
- Wherever the patient receives care (clinic/home)
Services
- Symptom management, care planning, emotional support; may work alongside treating specialists
Treatment Focus
- Can be alongside curative treatments
Frequency
- Intermittent visits; coordination with existing providers
Who Pays
- Medicare/Medicaid/private plans often cover when medically necessary
Length of Service
- Variable, based on need
Not sure where to start?
Call us at (800) 651-5371, we’ll listen, ask a few questions, and point you to the best next step.
How to Decide
Consider Palliative Care if:
- You’re still pursuing treatments but need stronger symptom control and coordination.
- You want help making decisions aligned with your values and goals.
Common Signs & Triggers
- Rising symptom burden: pain, breathlessness, anxiety, or nausea not well‑controlled.
- Functional decline: increased falls, more time in bed/chair, difficulty with daily activities.
- Frequent hospital/ER visits for the same condition.
- Caregiver exhaustion and safety concerns at home.
When these signs appear, it’s time to talk through options, even if you’re not ready for a change today.
What’s Included (Highlights)
Getting Started
Home Health
- Get a provider’s order (we can help request it).
- We verify benefits and schedule the first visit.
- Services begin at home with a customized plan.
Hospice
- Call us to discuss eligibility and goals: (800) 509-6345
- Coordinate with your physician, verify Medicare/insurance, and secure the doctor’s order for care.
- Set up equipment/meds and first visits, often within 24-48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Home Health to Hospice later?
Yes. If needs change, we’ll help you transition smoothly.
Does Hospice mean we’re stopping all medications?
No. Medications that support comfort and symptom relief are continued and adjusted as needed.
Is Palliative Care the same as Hospice?
No. Palliative care can occur at any stage alongside treatment; hospice is specifically for the last months of life when the focus is comfort.
Can services be provided in assisted living or a nursing facility?
Yes. We coordinate care where the patient lives.
See What Our Clients Are Saying About Us
Clear Next Steps
Ready for comfortfocused endoflife care?
Ready for comfortfocused endoflife care?