Palliative care is not tied to the proximity of death, but may last for months, even for some years. Hospice care is a part of palliative care, and consists of end-of-life care during the last few weeks or days of life.
Is palliative care the same as hospice care?
No. Palliative care aims at relieving the symptoms and supporting the quality of life of a patient with an incurable or life-threatening illness, as well as the patient’s loved ones.
Updated 12.3.2026