When someone you love is facing a serious illness, the medical world can feel like a maze. Between treatment options, insurance questions, and constant appointments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Two terms that often cause confusion are palliative care and hospice care—both vital, but serving very different needs.
At Seawind Health Advocacy Group, based in Ocean and Monmouth County, New Jersey, board-certified patient advocate Stephanie “Stevie” Kiziukiewicz helps families understand these care options and make informed, confident choices. With the right guidance, families can focus on what matters most—comfort, dignity, and quality of life.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is designed for individuals living with a serious or chronic illness, at any stage of their condition. The goal is to manage symptoms, reduce stress, and help patients live as comfortably as possible, often while still receiving curative treatments.
Unlike hospice, palliative care isn’t limited to end-of-life situations. It can begin shortly after diagnosis and continue alongside treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, or rehabilitation. The focus is on improving day-to-day comfort, communication, and overall well-being.
A palliative care team may include doctors, nurses, social workers, and spiritual advisors who collaborate closely to:
- Manage pain, fatigue, or shortness of breath, and provide comprehensive symptom management
- Address emotional and mental health challenges
- Coordinate care among specialists and healthcare providers
Palliative care may also incorporate integrative medicine approaches, combining complementary therapies such as vitamins, herbal remedies, and acupuncture with conventional treatments. These integrative medicine options can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for patients with serious illnesses.
Stevie Kiziukiewicz often works with families in New Jersey to ensure that medical plans reflect the patient’s goals and values, not just clinical outcomes. Her advocacy helps patients understand their options, prepare questions for doctors, and make choices that align with what matters most to them.
The Benefits of Palliative Care
Palliative care goes beyond physical comfort—it nurtures the whole person. Many patients find that having a coordinated care plan reduces unnecessary hospital visits and improves communication between their medical teams. Families benefit too, gaining clarity and relief from trying to manage everything on their own.
Palliative care also helps patients:
- Understand complex medical information
- Navigate Medicare, Medicaid, or insurance benefits
- Prepare essential legal documents such as advance directives or healthcare proxies
Patients and families may also benefit from support groups, which provide emotional support and connection with others facing similar challenges.
This kind of proactive care can be a turning point for patients living with chronic illnesses like heart failure, COPD, Parkinson’s, or dementia. With Seawind’s guidance, families can explore care options that support both longevity and quality of life.
If you’re exploring palliative care in New Jersey, contact Seawind Health Advocacy Group to discuss how personalized advocacy can make your care journey easier.
What Is Hospice Care?
Hospice care is a specialized form of end-of-life care for patients with a terminal illness.
Eligibility for hospice care is based on a diagnosis of terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less, as certified by a hospice doctor. Hospice care provides an extra layer of comfort and support beyond standard medical treatments, focusing solely on comfort and quality of life, not cure.
Hospice care provides relief from pain and distress, helping patients live their remaining days with dignity. It also offers vital emotional and spiritual support to the patient’s family and caregivers who are preparing for loss.
The hospice team is multidisciplinary, often including a hospice doctor, nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers. Together, the hospice team focuses on:
- Managing symptoms and pain
- Offering emotional and spiritual guidance
- Supporting family caregivers and recognizing the essential role of the caregiver
Hospice care can be provided in a variety of settings—from a patient’s home to a nursing facility or specialized hospice center. In each environment, the goal remains the same: ensuring comfort, peace, and respect.
Understanding Hospice Coverage in New Jersey
In New Jersey, hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans, making it more accessible than many families realize. Medicare hospice coverage is structured around benefit periods: two initial 90-day periods, followed by an unlimited number of 60-day periods. At the end of each period, a hospice provider must recertify that the patient is still eligible for hospice care. Eligibility is based on a life expectancy of six months or less, as certified by a hospice provider. Patients may choose to leave hospice care at any time and can re-enroll later if they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
These programs typically cover nursing visits, medications related to comfort care, medical supplies, and counseling services. However, hospice care does not provide treatment or prescription drugs aimed at curing illnesses unrelated to the terminal condition.
Stevie helps families navigate these coverage options and clarify what’s included, so there are no financial surprises during an already emotional time. With the right planning and advocacy, hospice care can bring families peace of mind and allow loved ones to spend their final days surrounded by comfort and compassion.
If your family is considering hospice care in Ocean or Monmouth County, reach out to Seawind Health Advocacy Group for local, compassionate support.
Settings for Care
When facing a serious illness, the right setting for care can make a world of difference in a patient’s comfort, well-being, and overall quality of life. Hospice care and palliative care services are designed to be flexible, meeting patients and families wherever they feel most at ease—whether that’s at home, in an assisted living facility, a nursing home, or a hospital.
For many patients, receiving hospice care at home is the most comforting option. Surrounded by loved ones and familiar surroundings, patients can maintain a sense of normalcy and dignity. Hospice teams—including hospice doctors, nurses, social workers, and home health aides—bring specialized medical care directly to the home, managing symptoms, providing pain relief, and supporting both the patient and their family members through every stage of illness.
Some individuals may need more structured support, especially if they are living with complex symptoms or require frequent monitoring. In these cases, hospice services can be provided in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or dedicated inpatient hospice facilities. Here, hospice providers work closely with facility staff to ensure that each patient receives comprehensive care, from managing symptoms of heart disease or lung disease to offering emotional and spiritual support. The goal is always to improve quality of life and provide comfort, no matter the setting.
For patients experiencing acute symptoms or needing advanced medical equipment, inpatient care in a hospital or outpatient clinic may be necessary. In these environments, hospice teams and palliative care teams can quickly address pain, manage symptoms, and coordinate other treatments, such as cancer treatment or therapies for serious illnesses. This level of care ensures that patients have access to the resources they need, while still focusing on comfort and relief from suffering.
Caregivers and family members are an essential part of the care journey, and sometimes they need a break to recharge. Respite care offers temporary relief for caregivers, allowing them to rest while their loved one continues to receive high-quality hospice care in a safe, supportive environment—whether that’s a hospice facility, nursing home, or assisted living facility. This service helps families maintain their own well-being, so they can continue to provide loving support.
No matter where care is provided, hospice teams and palliative care teams are committed to working closely with patients, families, and other healthcare providers. They coordinate care plans, manage symptoms, and ensure that every aspect of treatment is tailored to the patient’s unique needs and wishes. By offering care in a variety of settings, these dedicated professionals help patients and their loved ones find comfort, dignity, and peace during life’s most challenging moments.
Palliative Care vs Hospice: Key Differences
Although palliative care and hospice share the same philosophy—relieving pain and improving quality of life—the timing and focus differ significantly.
| Aspect | Palliative Care | Hospice Care |
|---|---|---|
| When It Begins | Any stage of serious illness | Typically last six months of life, after meeting eligibility to receive hospice care |
| Treatment Focus | Comfort and possible cure | Comfort only, no curative treatment |
| Goal | Improve quality of life during illness | Support and dignity at end of life |
| Location | Hospitals, clinics, home, or long-term care | Where the patient lives—home, nursing home, or hospice center |
| Insurance Coverage | Often covered by insurance or Medicaid | Covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private plans |
To receive hospice care, a patient must be certified by a healthcare provider as having a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease runs its usual course. Common diagnoses include advanced cancer, heart failure, or dementia, and hospice is available to patients of any age who meet these criteria.
Palliative care can last months or years, evolving alongside medical treatments. Hospice begins when the focus turns entirely toward comfort. Understanding this difference helps families choose the care that best matches their loved one’s goals and current condition.
The Role of a Patient Advocate in Care Decisions
Navigating the healthcare system alone can be overwhelming. That’s where a Board-Certified Patient Advocate like Stevie Kiziukiewicz can make a life-changing difference.
As the founder of Seawind Health Advocacy Group, Stevie acts as an independent voice for patients and families. She helps coordinate communication between doctors, explain medical terminology, and ensure every decision reflects the patient’s personal values and wishes. In addition, a social worker can help facilitate family meetings, provide emotional support, and offer updates to caregivers and loved ones, especially during hospice or end-of-life care.
A patient advocate can help you:
- Understand treatment options and medical terminology
- Evaluate hospice and palliative care providers in New Jersey
- Prepare documentation such as powers of attorney and HIPAA authorizations
- Connect with reputable specialists or second opinions
- Work with a social worker to support family communication and emotional needs
Stevie’s experience as a Certified Dementia Practitioner also gives her unique insight into supporting families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or cognitive decline. Her compassionate approach combines professional expertise with a deep respect for each client’s emotional journey.
If you’re unsure where to start or feel lost in medical paperwork, a consultation with Seawind Health Advocacy Group can bring clarity and relief.
Choosing the Right Path for Your Family
Choosing between palliative care and hospice is a deeply personal decision—one that depends on medical realities, personal values, religious beliefs, and the kind of support your family needs. Care teams can help address spiritual needs and religious beliefs to ensure that care decisions align with what matters most to you.
Some families begin with palliative care and later transition into hospice when curative treatments are no longer effective. Others find that early advocacy helps them plan ahead, reducing stress during critical moments.
Stevie’s mission at Seawind Health Advocacy Group is to ensure no family faces these decisions alone. With local roots in Ocean and Monmouth County, she understands the New Jersey healthcare landscape and provides practical, compassionate guidance every step of the way.
Compassion, Clarity, and Confidence
Understanding the difference between palliative care and hospice gives families the power to make choices rooted in compassion and confidence. Both types of care serve a vital purpose—one focused on living better with illness, the other on living fully in the time that remains.
With a dedicated patient advocate like Stevie Kiziukiewicz, you gain a trusted partner who ensures your loved one’s voice is heard, their care is coordinated, and their wishes are honored.
If your family is exploring palliative care vs hospice in New Jersey, contact Seawind Health Advocacy Group today. Personalized, compassionate advocacy can make all the difference in how you navigate care—and how you cherish each moment along the way.
call 732-245-0210 or contact us for a New Jersey
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