What is Hospice?

Hospice is a patient-centered approach to improve the quality of life and provide compassionate support for patients and families. Hospice care is focused on maintaining dignity and providing comfort, including pain and symptom management at the end of life. Hospice is for patients with a variety of diagnoses, including heart disease, stroke, liver disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and more.  This family and patient centered care is provided for the patient and family 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This type of care, called palliative care, involves the aggressive treatment of physical and emotional pain and symptoms. Hospice affirms life, improves comfort, and does not hasten or postpone death.