Hospices provide end-of-life care to patients with terminal illnesses. This sector relies on the combined knowledge of an interdisciplinary professional team to coordinate an individualized plan of care for each patient and family. These teams include physicians, nurses, medical social workers, therapists, counselors, hospice aides, and volunteers.

Services include comprehensive palliative medical care for the terminally ill of all ages and their families. Treatment concentrates on the reduction or abatement of disease symptoms rather than treatment aimed at a cure. Typically, hospice care is provided in a patient’s home, but hospice services may be provided in nursing facilities and other inpatient settings.