All hospice care is palliative in nature. The word “palliate” comes from the Latin root “pallios” which means “to cloak” or “to mask”, referring to the alleviation of pain and symptoms.

“Palliative care is defined as the active compassionate care of the chronically and terminally ill, primarily directed towards improving the quality of life at a time when the goal is not cure. The emphasis of palliative care is on the control of pain and symptoms, and meeting physical, emotional, spiritual, social and cultural needs. It is multidisciplinary in its approach, encompassing the person, family, caregivers and the community in its scope and extends to include grief and bereavement.” (Palliative Care Institute, October 1994)