What is the main objective of hospice care?

The main objective of hospice care is to reduce pain and stress during the last stage of terminal illnesses. Hospice care focuses on providing comfort and quality of life for patients who are facing a terminal diagnosis, prioritizing symptom management, emotional support, and spiritual care. It recognizes that the end-of-life phase can be challenging, and the goal is to enhance the quality of the remaining time for patients and their families rather than to pursue curative treatment. This approach allows patients to die with dignity, surrounded by loved ones, while receiving care tailored to their needs and preferences.

Other options represent different aspects of healthcare that are not aligned with the purposes of hospice. Long-term rehabilitation is focused on recovery and improvement, which is contrary to the goals of hospice that emphasize comfort rather than cure. Mental health recovery, while important, is typically addressed in different healthcare contexts, not specifically hospice care. Intensive medical treatment focuses on aggressive interventions aimed at curing illnesses, which directly contrasts with the palliative nature of hospice care that seeks to ease suffering without prolonging life through elaborate medical procedures.