Hospice care is different from standard hospital care. The philosophy of hospice care focuses not only on the patient, but on the patient’s life as a whole – including their family and friends. Although the main goal of this type of care is to ease the pain of terminally ill patients and provide them comfort in their final days, it also focuses on the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient as well. Hospice care can be provided in hospitals, nursing homes, specialized hospice centers and even the patient’s own home. While hospice care can include many things, it typically involves pain management, counseling and assistance with daily tasks.

The main difference between hospice care and of that found at a hospital is that both the hospice staff, the patient and the patient’s family all recognize that there is no cure for the patient and that they will pass away soon. This understanding allows for the hospice workers to not only aid a patient in accepting this fact, but helps them get their physical and emotional affairs in order before passing. Therefore, the following links will provide information not only for potential patients, but for their families as well.