Hospice is a medically directed interdisciplinary team-based program of services that focuses on patients nearing the end of life and their family. Hospice is the gold standard methos of caring for people at the stage of a life-limiting illness when no further curative or life-prolonging therapy is available or wished to be pursued by a patient or family member. Hospice services work with physicians and family to make the patient as comfortable as possible by relieving pain and other symptoms as needed, usually in the home or home-like setting preffered by the patient.

Hospice is not neccessary a place. Hospice is a philosophy of treatment and care designed to improve the comfort of the patients and families facing the last chapter of life. It is designed to help patients when further attempts at cure are no longer desired, either because treatment options have been exhausted, or the burdens of continued treatment outweigh any benefit to the patient. Most of us know of a loved one or friend who appeared to sugger needlessly at the end of life by ultimately futile treatment. Hospice seeks to prevent tha sort of tragedy.

Hospice Goal

The goal of hospice is improved quality of life at the end of life, helping the dying patient live as well as they can until death comes.

Hospice Focuses on treating Total Pain - Physical, Emotional, Social and Spiritual - Of the Patient while also supporting the family.