Hospice facts for kids
A hospice is a special kind of care for people who are very sick and won't get better from their illness. Hospice care helps them feel as comfortable as possible. People who receive hospice care are usually expected to pass away soon, but sometimes, surprisingly, they improve.
Unlike regular medical care that tries to cure illnesses, hospice care focuses on making people feel better and easing their pain. The main goal is to help people live their final days with as little discomfort as possible.
Hospice teams include doctors, nurses, and other helpers. They can visit people at home, in nursing homes, or in hospitals to provide this special care.
The History of Hospice Care
The idea of modern hospice care started in England in the 1950s. It was begun by a nurse named Dame Cicely Saunders. The title 'Dame' means she was honored by the Queen of England for her amazing work, like a female knight.
Another nurse, Florence Wald, worked with Dame Cicely Saunders. She was so impressed by the hospice idea that she brought this special kind of care to the United States.
Images for kids
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St Christopher's Hospice in 2005
See also
In Spanish: Hospicio para niños
