Hospice and palliative care: Care until the last breath

Accompanying with dignity and empathy. Read about the important role of hospice and palliative care. Learn how you can provide relief from suffering while reducing the emotional burden.

When a loved one is seriously ill and life is clearly coming to an end, family members are often faced with difficult decisions: What is the right thing to do now? Where can you get help? What does hospice or palliative care actually mean - and what is the difference?

An elderly doctor in a green uniform visits a patient in hospital. The patient lies in a bed and smiles at the doctor.

 

Hospice and palliative care offers support at precisely these moments: with medical, nursing and human support - for seriously ill people and their families. In Austria, there is a graduated care system that provides appropriate support depending on the situation - whether at home, in hospital or in an inpatient hospice. Similar services are also available in Germany. In this article, you will learn clearly and sensitively what services are available, how the funding works, where you can find help - and what you should pay attention to as a relative. Because: no one should be left alone in this phase of life.

 

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What does hospice and palliative care mean?

A family visits a terminally ill man in hospital. The man lies in bed, surrounded by his family, who lovingly support him.

 

Hospice and palliative care are to be seen as a unit and encompass the holistic care and support of people with an incurable, advanced illness.

Definition of palliative care

The Palliative care begins with a serious, incurable illness and aims to alleviate pain and other symptoms and maintain quality of life. It can take place alongside curative therapies and is provided at home, in hospital or in a nursing home. The care takes into account the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of seriously ill people and their relatives 

What is a hospice?

A hospice offers care for people in the last phase of life. It is no longer about healing, but about companionship, freedom from pain and dignity until the end - usually in an inpatient facility or on an outpatient basis with voluntary support. The aim of hospice and palliative care is to improve the quality of life until the end - regardless of age, origin, diagnosis or place of residence 

The difference between palliative and hospice

It is important to understand the difference between these two terms in order to find the right help at the right time.

 

Palliative care & Hospice care

Feature Palliative care Hospice care
Target Relief of symptoms, improvement of quality of life Accompaniment in the last phase of life, dignified farewell
Start of the supply From the diagnosis of a serious illness Mostly with limited life expectancy (weeks to months)
Place of care Home, hospital, nursing home Inpatient hospice, nursing home, home
Support team Specialist staff (doctors, nursing staff, social workers) Combination of specialist staff & volunteers
Duration of support Weeks to months, sometimes years Days to a few weeks
Financing Social security, care allowance Care allowance, hospice and palliative fund

 

Supply models and offers

Group of five smiling medical professionals in blue scrubs with IDs, standing in a modern medical facility.

 

Hospice and palliative care in Austria and Germany is structured as a tiered care system that offers different levels of support depending on the situation and needs.

Care models in Austria

In Austria, there is a comprehensive range of services to provide the best possible support for those affected and their families.

 

Forms of care in palliative and hospice care

Supply form Description Examples / Carrier
Outpatient (home visit) Palliative care teams come to people's homes and provide on-site care. Mobile palliative teams, Caritas, Red Cross
Stationary Stay in hospital or in an inpatient hospice. Palliative care units, hospices, specialized departments
Day hospice Hourly care during the day that promotes social contact and relieves the burden on relatives. Tyrolean Hospice House, CS Rennweg
Palliative outpatient clinic Outpatient facility for medical control and symptom relief. Hospitals, hospice organizations
Children's hospice Specialized care for terminally ill children and their families. MOMO Vienna, kidsMOBILtirol
Voluntary accompaniment Psychosocial support from trained volunteers. Hospice groups Upper Austria, Diakonie

In Tyrol, hospice and palliative care is established throughout the country - with mobile teams, palliative care units and volunteer companions in every district 

Care models in Germany

A similar variety of care models also exists in Germany. Mobile teams and outpatient hospice services offer support in the comfort of your own home. Inpatient hospices, such as the Ricam Hospiz in Berlin, offer a protected environment when home care is no longer possible.

 

Legal framework and financing

Rear view of a statue of Justitia with scales and sword on a lawyer's desk, in the background a man in a suit with documents in his hand

 

Funding hospice and palliative care is one of the biggest concerns for many relatives. However, the costs are often easier to manage than expected, as a tiered system of public funding, insurance and social institutions takes effect.

The care allowance: A central financial pillar

The care allowance is one of the most important financial aids. It is a monthly cash benefit that is granted to you or your family member depending on your needs. The amount depends on the care level in Austria and the care degree in Germany. This money is freely available and can be used to cover care services at home or part of the costs of inpatient facilities. It is therefore an essential support to ensure high-quality care.

The role of social security

Social insurance plays a crucial role by covering the costs of many medical and care services. These include, for example, the services of mobile palliative care teams, medication for symptom relief and medical care. Social insurance ensures that the necessary medical care does not fail because of the costs.

Public support through funds and laws

In addition to the regular services, there are special grants. The Hospice and Palliative Care Fund provides federal funding in Austria to expand and secure specialized care services. This provides considerable relief for those affected and their relatives. In Germany, comparable services are regulated in the Social Code (SGB V and XI). The Austrian HosPalFG (Hospice and Palliative Care Act) serves as the legal basis for the expansion of these services.

The living will: The right to self-determination

The living will is not a direct source of funding, but it is a legal requirement that is of the utmost importance. It enables you and your loved ones to specify medical measures in advance in the event of an emergency. This ensures that the patient's wishes are respected even if they are no longer able to express themselves. This gives everyone involved peace of mind and ensures dignified support until the end of life.

 

Important elements of hospice and palliative care

element Explanation
Care allowance Support according to care level (Austria) or care degree (Germany) for care at home or in a home.
Hospice and palliative fund Federal funding for specialized care services distributed to states or non-profit providers.
Social security Covers costs for mobile teams, medication and medical care.
HosPalFG (law) An Austrian federal law to promote nationwide hospice palliative care services.
Living will A legal requirement in which you can specify medical measures in the event of an emergency.

 

How to find the right help: Your guide

Young woman talking to an older woman with a walking stick, both smiling warmly at each other.

 

You are not alone in this difficult phase. There are many people who can support you and your family - from medical care to emotional relief. We show you what support options are available in Austria and Germany.

The first step: advice and decision support 

Often it all starts with a conversation with your family doctor. They can refer you to specialized services and help you plan the next steps. In Austria, mobile palliative care teams offer comprehensive advice, while in Germany it is the specialized outpatient palliative care (SAPV) teams. They all support you in deciding which care is best suited to the needs of your family member.

Find support in your area

  • In Austria: For hospice and palliative care services in your region, the umbrella organization HOSPIZ Austria offers a comprehensive overview on hospiz.at offers a comprehensive overview. There you will find mobile teams, inpatient hospices and counseling centers in your area. Organizations such as Caritas or the Red Cross are also important points of contact.
  • In Germany: In Germany, you can find suitable contacts via the German Hospice and Palliative Care Association (DHPV) or via regional portals such as that of the Ricam Hospice in Berlin. They will put you in touch with local services that offer both outpatient and inpatient care.

Financing and applications

 The question of costs is often one of the biggest concerns. In Austria, you can get all the information you need about care allowance and how to apply for it,  on our blog In Germany, the Pflegeversicherungsgesetz (SGB XI) the benefits. You can get advice from your care insurance provider.

Emotional support for relatives

A nurse sensitively holds the hand of a patient lying in bed in a bright, quiet room.

 

Palliative care takes into account not only the needs of seriously ill people, but also those of their relatives. The emotional strain is enormous. Many organizations therefore offer targeted support, such as discussion groups, individual counseling or grief counseling. These services are crucial for coping with the often difficult time of support.

Although it's one of the hardest times in life, it's important to remember that this time can also be a worthy and valuable one. As one daughter said about her mother's stay in the hospice: "It was the hardest, but at the same time most dignified time I was allowed to experience with my mother."

Hospice work is life support in the last phase of life - with time, dignity and care [Source: Diakonie Österreich]. In Austria as well as in Germany, there is a wide range of psychosocial support services. Don't be afraid to make use of them to strengthen yourself during this challenging time.

 

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Graphic of nurse Nora with a stethoscope around her neck and the text 'Nora's conclusion' on a green banner. Closing remark or summary in the health sector.

Convincing means understanding - not persuading! At the end of life, it is not only medical decisions that count - but above all humanity, dignity and trust. Whether palliative care to alleviate symptoms or hospice care in the last phase of life: in Austria, you and your loved ones have a wide range of options available - tailored to individual needs, locations and situations.

If you feel unsure about what the next step is, talk to your family doctor, a palliative care team or a counseling center. Nobody has to walk this path alone. noracares is there for you. Our experienced care advisors will support you in finding the right solution - with their heart, expertise and an open ear.

You are not alone. Many people have been exactly where you are today - and have found the right path together with support. You can do it too.

 

A turquoise banner with white text that reads 'Nora's Frequently Asked Questions'. On the right is an illustrated avatar of a nurse with blonde hair wearing a turquoise nurse's cap with a white cross, a white collar and a stethoscope around her neck
Palliative care begins with a serious, incurable illness and aims to alleviate symptoms and maintain quality of life. Hospice care, on the other hand, accompanies people in the last phase of life, with a focus on dying with dignity.
A stay in a hospice is an option when an incurable illness is very advanced, life expectancy is limited and care at home or in hospital is no longer possible or desired.
In Austria, care is largely financed by social insurance, care allowances and the Hospice and Palliative Care Fund. Inpatient stays, mobile teams and certain services are often publicly funded.
In Austria, a place in an inpatient hospice is usually free of charge or involves a small additional payment for those affected. The costs are usually covered by social insurance providers, care allowance or the public hospice fund.
Yes. In Austria, mobile palliative care teams provide comprehensive care in the home environment. They take care of medical, nursing and psychosocial needs and work closely with family doctors and relatives - often available around the clock.

 

Graphic logo of Nora's treasure trove of knowledge, a collection of information for nursing staff. Ideal for presenting nursing knowledge and advice.
  • Volunteer support: Psychosocial support from trained volunteers who are on hand to help seriously ill people and their relatives.
  • Hospice:An inpatient facility or organization that accompanies people in the last phase of life when a cure is no longer possible.
  • Hospice and Palliative Care Fund:Public fund that provides financial support for specialized hospice and palliative care services in Austria.
  • Curative treatment:A therapy or medical measure aimed at curing a disease.
  • Mobile Palliative Care Teams: teams of professionals (doctors, nurses) who care for patients at home or in nursing homes.
  • Palliative Care: The holistic care of people with incurable, advanced illnesses in order to alleviate symptoms and maintain quality of life.
  • Patient decree:A legally binding document in which a person specifies in advance which medical treatments they consent to or object to in the event of an emergency.
  • nursing: A financial support in Austria according to care level or in Germany according to care degree, which is used to finance care services.
  • Inpatient hospice: A facility where people can spend the last phase of their lives in a protected and cared-for environment.

 

 

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