Follow
Share

Does palliative care really help someone with advanced dementia? What is the turning point to transition to hospice.

You can ask the Palliative and or Hospice Nurse during the evaluation what the "pro's and con's" are for each.
With Hospice you can no longer seek curative treatments. Now with dementia there are none so that is not a game changer.
With Hospice you WILL get a nurse that will come in 1 time a week, more often if it is necessary.
You WILL get a CNA that will come 2 sometimes 3 times a week to give a bath, shower or if needed a bed bath.
The Nurse will order ALL medical supplies and equipment that will be delivered to your home (or where the patient lives) This includes any medication that is prescribed. (Hospice does provide medications, there are some they may ask you to discontinue but if there is a good reason to continue them if it is one they can provide they will, if it is not one covered you can purchase it "out of pocket"
The CNA will order all personal supplies briefs, wipes, gloves, ointments and they will all be delivered to you.
With Hospice you can ask for a Volunteer that can come and spend time with the patient while you get out. (they can do no "hands on care") Volunteers can also be requested if you need other things done. (I have weeded gardens, taken a dog for a walk, gone shopping)
And with Hospice you can ask for Respite. This is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance.

You can always drop Hospice and return to your original Primary Care Physician.
With Palliative you will still work with your PCP.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Grandma1954
Report

My dad was on both. With palliative care, a doctor made home visits. He had labs drawn. He had pt come. Once dad was found delirious the palliative doctor recommended hospice. We got enough hygiene supplies to fill a store but unfortunately the RN struggled with dad’s catheter so much that my doctor sister had to place it. That’s the thing with hospice is that you’re usually getting an RN that is not even an np or a pa as your top onsite provider.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to PeggySue2020
Report

No, palliative care does not help someone with advanced dementia, unless having a nurse come to the house/facility once every 6 weeks to check on them counts. Really other than that they do nothing.
But if and when your loved one goes under hospice care, they will receive any needed equipment, supplies, and medications all covered 100% under their Medicare or Medicaid. Hospice will also have a nurse come out once a week to start and have aides to come bathe your loved one at least twice a week, along with access to volunteers, their chaplain, and social worker, again all covered 100% under Medicare/Medicaid.
You can call the hospice agency of your choice and have them come out to do an assessment to see if your loved one qualifies for their services. They are available 24/7, so you can call them anytime.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to funkygrandma59
Report
Rosered6 May 12, 2026
Palliative care was very helpful for my mom, who has dementia. The palliative care nurses were much more focused on pain management, fall prevention, and general comfort issues than was mom's primary care physician.
(1)
Report
Palliative care and Hospice care both focus on keeping the patient comfortable, not in improving their health. This is for any chronic condition which is not going to get better. Hospice will have more strict criteria for eligibility, and will provide a nurse more often, and may even provide someone for bathing assistance.

If the person is stable, palliative care is probably just fine for now. If they decline, you can ask a hospice provider to do an evaluation. They will tell you if the patient is eligible for their services. This can be helpful for end-of-life care.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to CaringWifeAZ
Report

Palliative care is for pain management and would benefit anyone who is in pain for an improved quality of remaining life.

A doctor or facility would need to assess someone for hospice qualification. You can request this to get the assessment in motion.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Geaton777
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter