Hospice is a comprehensive healthcare program for those with advanced illnesses and their families. It is a life-enhancing support system intended to promote quality of life so that they might live as fully and as comfortably as possible.

Hospice care also ensures that a patient's caregivers and loved ones receive the instruction and support they need. It addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and his or her family

The philosophy of hospice is to affirm life by enhancing quality of life. It is based on offering comprehensive, comfort-oriented services and compassionate care so patients can maximize control over their lives and live with dignity and hope during a time of terminal illness and loss. Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death; it treats death as a natural part of life.

Some of the specific hospice support areas are nursing, social work and counseling, chaplaincy, home health assistance, volunteer visitation, dietary counseling, physical therapy, physician services and bereavement services.

Hospice services are located at:

• Mount Nittany Medical Center