Hospice: enhancing the quality of life.

Hospice care is directed at the relief of the physical, social and psychologic symptoms that often accompany advanced, incurable illness. In recent years, an increasing number of physicians has come to recognize the necessity for hospice care in the treatment of some patients with cancer, HIV infection, and a number of other (as yet) incurable illnesses. Hospice care is designed to improve the quality of life through the use of medications and treatments directed at the relief of symptoms secondary to the underlying disease and its treatment. Hospice makes use of a wide range of physical, social and psychological therapies to relieve symptoms and to provide support and information for the patient's family and caregivers.