The terms "palliative care" and "hospice" mean different things to different people. Here, "hospice" is taken to mean a facility that provides an alternative home for people living with a terminal illness. These people need a community, home-like environment and specialized care, yet their care isn’t so complex that it requires a hospital.

Decisions about admission to a hospice depend on the care a person needs and the specific hospice setting. For example, someone may enter a hospice when care can’t be provided at home or when other options have been ruled out. The admission criterion varies among areas and among individual hospices. Palliative care providers or programs in your area may help you determine the best timing for admission to a hospice.