Both are part of a full program of support for you or someone you love who is living with a life-limiting illness.

Palliative care (or palliative medicine) is the prevention and relief of suffering by a specialized medical team that focuses on managing symptoms, relieving pain and improving quality of life, whatever the diagnosis.

Hospice care is a form of palliative care. It usually refers to the care of patients with a life expectancy of six months or less. It’s the term used by Medicare and other health agencies to describe the kind of team-based care that focuses on comfort, quality of life, pain and symptom relief.