Palliative (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) care is specialized medical care for patients with serious illnesses who may be seeking curative treatment and can benefit from extra assistance and supportive care. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness.

Hospice care is a comprehensive plan of care provided by a team of medical experts that allow patients and their families to focus living as fully as possible and sharing on making meaningful moments with their loved ones. More than 1.6 million Americans entered hospice care in 2016, but many people may still have misconceptions about what quality, community-based hospice is.