What is hospice care?
Hospice is end-of-life care designed to provide comfort and support when the focus of care is quality of life rather than cure. It addresses physical symptoms while also supporting emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
The hospice team works with the patient, family, attending clinician, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate an individualized plan of care.
Hospice may be appropriate when:
- A serious illness continues to progress despite treatment.
- There is increasing weakness, dependence, or functional decline.
- Symptoms are becoming more difficult to manage.
- Hospital or emergency visits are becoming more frequent.
- The patient and family want care centered primarily on comfort and quality of life.