What is Hospice?

The Philosophy of Hospice
Hospice is a special way of caring for the terminally ill. The professionals and volunteers of Hospice & Community Care help individuals live their last days in as much comfort as possible surrounded by the people and things they love. The focus is on treating the person, not the disease, and also on providing ongoing support for loved ones. Hospice care is provided in a setting that best meets the needs of each patient and family. The most common setting is the patient’s home or the home of a relative. Hospice care is also provided in nursing homes, residential care settings and hospitals according to the patients needs. Hospice neither hastens or postpones dying. Hospice strives to bring quality of life and comfort to a patient and their family. Just as doctors and midwives lend support and expertise during childbirth, Hospice provides care and knowledge during the dying process. There are more than 3,000 Hospice programs in the United States. Most people regard the hospice movement as the model for quality care at the end of life.