What is Hospice?

Hospice is a special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatment.

The term "hospice" once described a way station for pilgrims journeying to the Holy Land. Today, hospice care is based on the philosophy of providing emotional, spiritual, physical support, and comfort to people in the final phases of life, usually in the last six months. Hospice care is delivered in the patient's primary residence, either the home or nursing home, and provides in-patient care on a short-term basis to address symptom management.

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