Literal definition is an inn for travelers.
A program which provides palliative and supportive care for terminally ill patients and their families , either directly or on a consulting basis with the patient’s physician or another community agency such as a visiting nurse association. Originally a medieval name for a way station for crusaders where they could be replenished, refreshed and cared for; used here for an organized program of care for people going through life’s last station. The whole family is considered the unit of care and care extends through the mourning process. Emphasis is placed on symptom control and reparation for and support before and after death. Hospices originated in England (where there are about 25) and are now appearing in the U.S. As one example of their human and cost-saving effects, 61 percent of one hospice’s patients died at home (compared with the 2 percent of all American deaths which occur at home). Some would consider the hospice as an alternative to euthanasia.
A hospital which offers palliative care for terminally ill people.
Program designed to provide care for terminally ill patients and their families. Both home and in- hospital environments are utilized; the goal is to provide physical and emotional support. The hospice team is multidisciplinary in nature, often consisting of physicians, nurses, clergy, social workers, and other professionals.
An end-of-life, multidisciplinary treatment provided to clients experiencing the end months of life; focuses on palliation, or relief of suffering.
A facility or a program that provides a combination of housing, medical care, and personal services for people with terminal diseases. In hospice programs, the emphasis shifts from finding a cure to maximizing the quality of remaining life. Most patients accepted in hospice programs have a condition such that their expected life span is 6 months or less.
A hospital that cares only for the terminally ill and dying. The emphasis is on providing quality of life, and special care is taken in providing pain relief by whichever methods are deemed best suited to the person’s needs. Hospice care in the United Kingdom has been greatly developed, generally funded by a combination of the NHS and charitable funds, with activities supported by voluntary workers.
A live-in facility or program for terminally ill people and their families.
A methodology aimed at delivering empathetic and supportive care to individuals with terminal illnesses, along with counseling and aid extended to their families. Additionally, the term can encompass a specialized hospital unit or an independent facility dedicated to providing comprehensive care for patients nearing the end of life.
A hospice is a hospital or a specialized unit within a hospital dedicated to providing care for patients who are in the final stages of a terminal illness.