What is the primary goal of hospice care?

The primary goal of hospice care is to provide care for clients who have a prognosis of less than six months to live, focusing on enhancing the quality of life in their remaining time rather than pursuing curative treatments. This approach centers on symptom management, emotional support, and ensuring comfort for both the patient and their family. It emphasizes palliative care, which aims to relieve suffering and promote dignity at the end of life.

In this context, the other options do not align with the fundamental objectives of hospice care. Long-term care is not representative of hospice's focus on end-of-life support. Curative treatments are typically excluded from hospice services since the emphasis is on comfort rather than prolonging life. Lastly, while promoting independence can be a part of care, the overarching aim is not to maximize independence, but rather to ensure quality of life and support throughout the dying process.