The original intent of hospice was to aid the families of the terminally ill in taking care of their family members who wished to die at home. Sometimes these patients would be sent to rest homes when the burden was too great for the family and the hospice team would then work with the staff to insure adequate and appropriate care, and pain management in order to live out their last days in as much comfort and dignity as possible. Well I guess it has now evolved into institutional care, with the emphasis on death rather than end of life care.
I now see it has become big business, here in Napa. A multimillion dollar Hospice has been built that rivals the most expensive nursing care homes in the area.
Read posts 31 and 130, and put 2 and 2 together.