Hospice

Hospice, facility for the care of terminally ill patients. Its professional staff seeks to provide alleviation of pain (rather than life-prolonging medical services), supportive psychological and spiritual counseling, and easy access for family and friends in a dignified and noninstitutional environment. The first hospice was opened in England in 1967 by Dr. Cecily Saunders. In the United States the cost of hospice care is now reimbursable under both Medicaid and Medicare.