Characteristics of Hospice Care Characteristics of Hospice Care Hospice emphasizes quality of life for individuals and for their families. Hospice focuses on care that provides relief from distressing symptoms, not cure of the disease. The goal is to make the patient as free of pain and as comfortable as possible so that the patient and family can make the most of the time that remains. Hospice treats the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient using an interdisciplinary team of professionals and volunteers. However, the patient and family are in control of the care, and their wishes are respected.
Hospice considers the patient and family to be the unit of care.
Hospice staff support families as they care for the patient. Bereavement support is offered to the family after the death of the patient. Hospice usually provides care in the home or a home-like setting. However, care may sometimes be provided in a hospital or nursing home.