The Mesothelioma SOS Glossary - Hospice

Hospice care is a program which provides special care for patients who are near the end of life and wish to focus on symptom reduction and relief rather than providing a cure for illness. Hospice care aims to eliminate pain and other physical ailments and improve the patient’s quality of life by providing not only physical support, but also emotional and spiritual support. Hospice care also typically provides emotional support for family and friends of the patient. The World Health Organization defines hospice care as “an approach that improves quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness”. While hospice care does commonly focus on patients suffering from terminal illnesses, hospices will not hesitate to take in the elderly, and patients who are suffering from side effects of curative treatments, such as chemotherapy. Additionally, hospice care has support groups and mentors for the family members and partners of patients suffering from illnesses. Hospice care, or palliative care, can be administered either in freestanding hospice facilities, within hospitals, and even within the patients home. While some doctors do not approve of the idea of “making a patient comfortable”, hospice care is becoming more and more widespread, as it provides a stable emotion, physical and mental crutch for patients and families in need, improving the quality of life not only patients but the patient’s loved ones.