Palliative and End-of-Life Care at Home: Providing Comfort and Dignity

By Emma Pizzutti

Caring for a loved one during the final stages of life is one of the most profound and emotional experiences a family can go through. Many seniors and their families choose to receive palliative or end-of-life care at home, where comfort, familiarity, and dignity can be preserved. Home-based care allows individuals to spend meaningful time surrounded by loved ones while receiving the medical, emotional, and spiritual support they need.

Understanding Palliative and End-of-Life Care and Their Benefits

While the terms palliative care and hospice care are sometimes used interchangeably, they address different stages of serious illness.

• Palliative care focuses on relief from pain and other symptoms at any stage of illness, not just the end of life. It aims to improve quality of life and support patients and families emotionally and spiritually.

• Hospice care is designed for those approaching the end of life, typically with a prognosis of six months or less. The focus shifts from curative treatment to comfort care, helping patients live their remaining days with peace and dignity.

Both types of care involve an interdisciplinary team, including doctors, nurses, social workers, home health aides and their agencies, and chaplains, who work together to meet the patient’s physical and emotional needs.

Receiving palliative and hospice care at home provides:

• Comfort and familiarity: Being surrounded by personal belongings and loved ones can ease anxiety and promote peace.

• Personalized attention: Caregivers can tailor services to meet specific needs, from pain management to emotional support.

• Family involvement: Loved ones can remain active participants in daily care and important decisions.

• Reduced hospital visits: Home care can minimize the need for emergency room trips or hospital stays, allowing for more rest and stability.

Palliative and hospice teams not only care for the patient but also provide crucial guidance and emotional support to families, helping them navigate this journey with compassion.

The Role of Home Care Agencies in Palliative and Hospice Support

While hospice and palliative care teams provide clinical and emotional oversight, home care agencies can play a vital complementary role in supporting clients who wish to remain at home through coordinating with hospice teams. Experienced home care agencies can work seamlessly with hospice or palliative teams, sharing updates, following care plans, and ensuring continuity of care.

By partnering with a home care agency, families can enhance the quality of life for their loved one and reduce the emotional and logistical burden of caregiving. Together, hospice professionals and home care aides create a comprehensive circle of care to support the overall wellbeing of the client. 

Providing Comfort and Dignity

At home, the goal is to make each day meaningful and as comfortable as possible.Small gestures, like playing favorite music, sharing memories, or simply sitting together quietly, can make the situation more peaceful.

Caregivers can also help by:

• Managing symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

• Ensuring proper nutrition and hydration, when appropriate.

• Keeping the environment calm and soothing, with gentle lighting and minimal noise.

• Offering companionship and reassurance, which can ease loneliness and fear.

Dignity in care means honoring the person’s wishes, beliefs, and preferences. Whether that involves spiritual support, favorite foods, or familiar routines, the goal is always to prioritize comfort and respect.

NYC Resources for Palliative and Hospice Care

New York City is home to several organizations and hospitals that provide compassionate, comprehensive palliative and hospice care for individuals who wish to receive services at home.

Calvary Hospice / CalvaryCare®Calvary’s “Calvary@Home” program provides hospice and palliative care throughout Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Their interdisciplinary team focuses on comfort, pain management, and family support. Visit calvaryhospital.org to learn more.

MJHS Hospice & Palliative CareServing all five boroughs, MJHS offers both hospice and palliative services in the home. Their programs emphasize symptom relief, emotional support, and guidance for families coping with serious illness. Learn more at mjhs.org.

Mount Sinai Palliative CareMount Sinai offers a range of palliative care options, including in-home services, focused on managing symptoms, supporting families, and improving overall quality of life. More details can be found at mountsinai.org.

NYU Langone Palliative & Supportive CareNYU Langone provides outpatient palliative care and home-based support for individuals living with chronic or advanced illnesses. Their approach focuses on comfort, decision-making, and coordination of care. Visit nyulangone.org.

NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia & Weill Cornell Palliative CareThis hospital-based program offers inpatient and outpatient palliative care, emphasizing pain management and emotional support across all stages of illness. Learn more at nyp.org.

Hospice of New York (HONY)HONY provides home hospice care across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Their services include pain and symptom management, counseling, and spiritual care. Visit hospiceny.com.

NYC Health + Hospitals – Gouverneur Hospice CareLocated on the Lower East Side, Gouverneur offers hospice care that includes medical, emotional, and spiritual support to ensure comfort and dignity. More information is available at nychealthandhospitals.org/gouverneur.

VNS (Visiting Nurse Service) Hospice at Home

VNS’s Hospice at Home brings skilled nursing, hospice aides, social work, and spiritual care to patients in their residences. Their team focuses on personalized support, symptom control, and ensuring a high level of care during the final stages of life. Check them out at vnshealth.org. 

It’s also important to note that Medicare provides a special hospice benefit that helps cover many of these services at home. This benefit typically includes medical care, nursing visits, medications related to the terminal illness, medical equipment (such as hospital beds or oxygen), and emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and their family. 

End-of-life care is not just about managing symptoms, it’s about preserving dignity, comfort, and connection during one of life’s most meaningful chapters. For seniors, receiving palliative or hospice care at home allows them to remain in a familiar environment, surrounded by love and support.