For families caring for a loved one with a serious illness, a late-night trip to the emergency room can be one of the most stressful experiences imaginable. Long waits, unfamiliar surroundings, and urgent medical decisions can leave everyone feeling overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the likelihood of these situations.
At Hosparus Health and Pallitus Health Partners, we help families manage symptoms at home, avoid unnecessary emergency department (ED) visits, and focus on quality time together.
Understanding the Difference
Palliative care, provided by Pallitus Health Partners, is available at any stage of a serious illness. It focuses on improving quality of life through symptom management, emotional support, and coordination of care. Services are offered through telehealth, in community-based clinics, and in the home for qualifying patients.
Hospice care, provided by Hosparus Health, supports those in the final months of life when treatment is no longer focused on curing illness. The goal is to ensure comfort, dignity, and family support. Hospice care is provided wherever a patient calls home, including private residences, nursing facilities, or other familiar settings.
Both hospice and palliative care connect patients and families with expert, compassionate support while reducing the need to leave their community for care.
The Evidence
A JAMA Internal Medicine study found that hospice enrollment is linked to:
- Fewer hospitalizations for patients nearing the end of life
- Fewer emergency department visits compared to those not in hospice care
- Potential cost savings by reducing aggressive, end-of-life interventions that may not improve comfort or quality of life
These findings highlight how timely enrollment in hospice can reduce crisis situations and help families remain together at home.
How Hosparus Health and Pallitus Health Partners Make It Possible
- 24/7 Access to a Care Team
Patients and families can call any time to speak with a nurse who can assess symptoms, offer advice, and send a care team member if needed. - Symptom Management at Home
Expert clinicians manage pain, shortness of breath, nausea, anxiety, and other distressing symptoms, helping prevent situations that could lead to an ER visit. - Care Planning and Education
Our teams work with patients and families to anticipate potential challenges, plan for changes, and provide the skills needed to respond to new symptoms. - Emotional and Spiritual Support
We address the whole person, offering counseling, spiritual care, and volunteer support to reduce stress for both patient and caregiver.
Why This Matters for Families
Avoiding the ER means more time spent in a familiar and comfortable environment, with care tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes. It also means less disruption for caregivers, children, and other family members who may be juggling multiple responsibilities.
The sooner you start the conversation, the more support you and your loved one can experience.
Call Hosparus Health at 800-264-0521
Call Pallitus Health Partners at 502-814-5408
Contact Us Online
Related Reading
Explore more ways hospice and palliative care support families:
- Balancing Caring for Aging Parents – Tips for managing the demands of caring for multiple generations.
- Signs It’s Time to Consider Palliative or Hospice Care for a Parent – How to know when it’s time for extra support.
- What is Palliative Care? – An overview of palliative services and how they improve quality of life.
- Who Pays for Hospice Care? – Understand your options for covering hospice services.