What it means
A kind of palliative carePAL-ee-uh-tiv KAIRCare that relieves pain, other symptoms and stress for people with serious illness, at any stage and alongside other treatment.Full entry for the last stage of a terminal illness, given when the client chooses to stop treatment aimed at curing the disease. A team of nurses, doctors, aides, social workers, chaplains and volunteers manages pain and symptoms and supports the family, including in grief after the death. Most hospice care is given at home; it is also given in nursing homes and hospice centers.
For the nurse
Focus on comfort, dignity and the client's wishes. Pain medicine is given regularly to keep pain controlled, not only when it becomes severe.
At a glance
| Spanish | hospicio, cuidados paliativos terminales |
|---|---|
| Also written | hospice care, hospice-care |
Easy to confuse with
palliative care
Care that relieves pain, other symptoms and stress for people with serious illness, at any stage and alongside other treatment.
Related terms
palliative care
Care that relieves pain, other symptoms and stress for people with serious illness, at any stage and alongside other treatment.
end-of-life care
The care given to a person and their family in the last days, weeks or months of life.
social worker
A professional who helps clients and families with social, emotional, financial and practical problems related to health and care.