Comfort care in plain words

Choosing comfort is not “giving up.” It is choosing what the person values most right now. Talk with the doctor. This page is education only.

Palliative care

Help with pain, breath, sleep, and stress while a serious illness is treated. You can still pursue treatment. Any stage of illness.

Hospice

Comfort-focused care when a doctor expects a limited time left (often six months if the illness follows its usual course). The goal is dignity at home or in a facility — not more hospital tests that do not help.

Medicare hospice (typical)

Often included

Nurse visits, aide help, medicines for comfort, equipment, chaplain, social worker, short respite for the family, bereavement support.

Often not included

Room and board in a nursing home (unless another payer covers it). Treatments meant to cure the terminal illness after hospice starts.

You can change your mind

Hospice can be stopped if the person improves or wants different care. Ask the hospice and the doctor.

Medicare hospice coverage Compare hospice on Care Compare Wishes on paper