Hospice is palliative care and services designed to meet the unique needs of individuals who are living with a terminal illness. It is a special concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatments.

For many, the lack of a clear understanding of what happens during the final stages of life can be uncomfortable and even overwhelming... talking with doctors, understanding how medications work, juggling family schedules, and living with a variety of emotions can be quite stressful. For this reason a key element for the Companion Hospice staff is to explain the process, address physical, emotional, and spiritual concerns, and to educate about choices that can be made along the way.

Hospice is a philosophy as well as a type of service; and while death is seen as a natural part of the life cycle, hospice will neither seek to hasten nor to postpone the end of life.

Hospice goals include pain relief and symptom control and recognize that psychological and spiritual pain is as significant as physical pain. Addressing all of this requires the skills and approach of an interdisciplinary team.