What is Hospice?

A model of care

Hospice is a model of care, born of strong beliefs:

That when we are sick we suffer in body, mind and spirit.
   That when we suffer from life-limiting illness, those close to us suffer as well.
      That every day of every life matters, and can and should be lived to the fullest extent possible,
         Emphasizing comfort, dignity, family and friendships.

 In the hospice care model, the focus is on caring, not curing. Doctors and nurses are part of the patient care team, but so are counselors, chaplains and trained volunteers. And care is provided not just for the patient, but for his or her loved ones as well.

Hospice care can be provided anywhere. Most often, it is brought to the patient’s own home. For other patients, it might be in a long term care or assisted living facility. A relatively small percentage of patients seek care at a hospice inpatient facility.