Hospice is not a place, but a concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatment. Hospice care neither prolongs life nor hastens death. Hospice care is provided by an interdisciplinary team of specially trained professionals, volunteers, and family members. Hospice staff offers expertise in pain and symptom management. Hospice also addresses the emotional, social, and spiritual impact of the disease on the patient and the patient's loved ones. The goal of hospice care is to improve the quality of a person's last few months, weeks, or days by offering comfort, support and dignity.