Definition: Interdisciplinary program of palliative care for terminally ill people. Usually a combination of at-home and hospital care of the terminally ill that combines medical and social services. It is designed to help both the patient and the family. Hospice care emphasizes pain control, symptom management, and emotional support rather than life-sustaining equipment.
Pronunciation: hos'pis
Also Known As: palliative care
Common Misspellings: hospic, hospis
Examples: Joe entered hospice care when his cancer became untreatable.