Four Myths About Palliative and Hospice Care

Do you know the differences between palliative and hospice care? Although these two types of care are similar, they also differ in many ways. Find answers to common myths about palliative and hospice care.

To share the image, right-click on it and select "save an image as" to save the file to your computer. We encourage you to use the hashtag #NIAHealth in your social media posts to connect with people and organizations with similar goals.

Four Myths About Palliative and Hospice Care infographic. Click pdf to open or see transcript on the page

You may also be interested in

Reading more about palliative and hospice care
Learning about different care settings at the end-of-life
Ordering or downloading a publication about mourning the death of a spouse

Read a transcript of the infographic

Palliative care

Specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness.

Myth: When I begin palliative care, I can no longer receive treatment for my disease.

Fact: Palliative care can be provided along with curative treatment.

Myth: I can no longer see my primary care doctor when I start palliative care.

Fact: Palliative care teams work with primary care doctors.

Hospice care

Focuses on the care, comfort, and quality of life of a person with a serious illness who is approaching the end of life.

Myth: In hospice care, I can't receive any treatments.

Fact: People may receive medications to help manage symptoms but not treatments to help cure their illness.

Myth: Hospice care is only provided in a hospital or hospital facility.

Fact: It can be provided at home, in a hospital or nursing home, or in a separate hospice center.

Learn more about palliative and hospice care.