Hospice is a philosophy of care that emphasizes quality of life in the face of life-limiting illness. It neither hastens nor postpones death but seeks to bring comfort and support to patients, and to their families, with the goal of creating a caring circle around the members of our community when they may need it most. Hospice exists to provide support and care for persons in the last phases of incurable disease so that they might live as fully and comfortably as possible. Hospice recognizes dying as a normal process whether or not resulting from disease. Hospice exists in the hope and belief that, through appropriate care and the promotion of a caring community sensitive to their needs, patients and families may be free to attain a degree of mental and spiritual preparation for death that is satisfactory to them. At all times the guiding force will be to provide what is best for the person and his or her family facing life threatening illness. See the Maine Hospice Council web site