Term: Hospice

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2013-10-04

Definition:

In Fransoo et al. (2013), hospice is defined as care for persons in the last stages of life. Hospice programs often provide palliative care and supportive care for terminally ill patients and their families (Miller & Keane, 2003).

In De Coster et al. (1996), hospice is one of 13 Alternate Levels of Care (ALC) which includes hospital and home based programs, as well as independent facilities, designed for care of the terminally ill who require skilled nursing care and other services, such as IV therapy.

Related concepts 

• Palliative Care - Data Sources and Method of Identification

Related terms 

• Alternate Level of Care (ALC)
• Palliative Care
• Palliative Care Program

References 

• De Coster C, Peterson S, Kasian P. Alternatives to Acute Care . Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health and Evaluation, 1996. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Miller BF, Keane CB. Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, 7th edition. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2003.(View)

Term used in 

• Fransoo R, Martens P, The Need to Know Team, Prior H, Burchill C, Koseva I, Rajotte L. Who is in our Hospitals.and why? Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2013. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)