What is Hospice?

Hospice is a not a place, it is 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 treatments.

Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death. Hospice staff and volunteers offer a specialized knowledge of medical care, including pain management. The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a patient's last days by offering comfort and dignity 

Hospice Care:

• is provided by a team-oriented group of specially trained professionals, volunteers and family members.
• addresses all symptoms of a disease, with a special emphasis on controlling a patient's pain and discomfort.
• deals with the emotional, social and spiritual impact of the disease on the patient and the patient's family and friends.
• offers a variety of bereavement and counseling services to families before and after a patient's death.

Video Series

The six-video sequence shown below was produced by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. The topics are:

1. Understanding Hospice Care - An Introduction
2. What is Hospice Care?
3. Types of Hospice Care Services
4. When to Begin Hospice
5. Paying for Hospice Care
6. Choosing a Hospice