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 and families, professionals, and volunteers. The hospice philosophy affirms the importance of support and care for people in the last stages of incurable illness so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible. 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.
Hospice exists in the hope and belief that through appropriate care and the promotion of a caring, sensitive community, patients and their families can achieve a degree of mental and spiritual preparation for death that is satisfactory to them. The World Health Organization defines palliative care as the active, total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. Control of symptoms is paramount and includes the alleviation of all symptoms, whether they be physical, psychological, social, or spiritual. Total palliative care usually involves an interdisciplinary team of health-care professionals who provide coordinated medical, nursing, social work, and spiritual services. The goal of palliative care is the achievement of the best possible quality of life for patients and their families.