What type of care is provided to individuals who have approximately six months or less to live?

Hospice care is specifically designed for individuals who are facing a terminal illness and have six months or less to live. This type of care focuses on providing comfort, support, and dignity to patients as they approach the end of life. It emphasizes pain management and emotional support for both the patient and their family, rather than curative treatments for the illness. Hospice care can be delivered at home, in hospice facilities, or in hospitals, always aiming to improve the quality of life in the final stages.

In contrast, palliative care can be provided to individuals at any stage of a serious illness and is not limited to those who are terminally ill. While it similarly focuses on relieving symptoms and stress, it can be given alongside curative treatments rather than being exclusively for those who are nearing the end of life.

Critical care refers to advanced medical care for patients with life-threatening conditions, where intensive monitoring and treatment are provided, and emergency care addresses immediate medical crises. Neither of these types of care shares the specific end-of-life focus that characterizes hospice care.