Patients usually come in for one of two reasons:
Management of a problem such as pain, or other troublesome symptoms. When this is attended to, most patients go home again, but can be readmitted to the hospice later if the problem recurs or there is need as their illness progresses.
Care in the final stages. Sometimes despite best efforts care at home is no longer possible and some people come into the hospice for care in the final stages of their illness.