Hospice is a special way of caring for people approaching the end of life.  This type of care is based upon the hospice philosophy, which addresses the unique needs of people in the final phase of life.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) best describes the hospice philosophy as follows:

     • Hospice provides support and care for persons in the last phases of
        incurable disease so that they may live as fully and as comfortable as
        possible.  It recognizes dying as part of the normal process of living and
        focuses on quality of life.  Hospice affirms life and neither hastens nor
        postpones death.  It exists in the hope and belief that through
        appropriate care, a caring community sensitive to needs, patients and
        their families may be free to attain mental and spiritual preparation for
        death that is satisfactory to them.  Hospice offers palliative care to
        terminally ill people and their families without regard to age, gender,
        nationality, race, creed, sexual orientation, disability, diagnosis, 
        availability of a caregiver, or ability to pay.

     • A hospice program provides palliative care to terminally ill patients. 
        Palliative care is defined as treatment that enhances comfort, and 
        improves the quality of the patient's life.  This type of care is a process
        that involves the terminally ill patient, his family, and hospice caregivers. 
        (Palliative care is defined in more detail in the following pages.)

     • With hospice, supportive services are also available for patients,
        significant others, and families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
        in home and facility-based settings.  Physical, social, spiritual, and
        emotional care is provided during the last stages of illness, during the 
        dying process, and during bereavement by a medically directed 
        interdisciplinary team consisting of patients, families, professionals, 
        and volunteers.

     • There are many generally accepted myths and fears related to dying. 
        The Hospice's special way of caring attempts to dispel the myths and
        calm the fears.  Hospice recognizes dying as part of the normal process
        of living and focuses on maintaining the quality of remaining life. 
        Hospice affirms life and neither hastens nor postpones death.