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Hospice Care
Definition 1
The active total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. The goal of palliative care is achievement of the best possible quality of life for patients and their families. Control of pain, of other symptoms, and of psychological, social, and spiritual problems is paramount. Palliative care affirms life and regards dying as a normal process, neither hastens nor postpones death, provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms, integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care, offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death, and offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient's illness and in their own bereavement. (World Health Organization) (NCI Thesaurus)
Definition 2
A program that provides special care for people who are near the end of life and for their families, either at home, in freestanding facilities, or within hospitals. (NCI Dictionary)
More information
Hospice care is end-of-life care. A team of health care professionals and volunteers provides it. They give medical, psychological, and spiritual support. The goal of the care is to help people who are dying have peace, comfort, and dignity. The caregivers try to control pain and other symptoms so a person can remain as alert and comfortable as possible. Hospice programs also provide services to support a patient's family.
Usually, a hospice patient is expected to live 6 months or less. Hospice care can take place
• At home
• At a hospice center
• In a hospital
• In a skilled nursing facility (NIH: National Cancer Institute)
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