hospice

noun hospices

1. countable, dated A lodging for pilgrims or the destitute, normally provided by a monastic order. At the west end of the street is the ruined 13th-century hospice, known locally as Pilgrims' Rest. It was built by Bishop Beck for the use of travellers, and was used as place of rest by pilgrims on their way from Bardsey Island to St David's Cathedral.
2. uncountable The provision of palliative care for terminally ill patients, either at a specialized facility or at a residence, and support for the family, typically refraining from taking extraordinary measures to prolong life. The modern concept of hospice and palliative nursing has its roots in the hospice movement. Introduced to the United States in the early 1960s, hospice has grown from one organization in 1971 to more than 3500 organizations in 2001.
3. countable A specialized facility or organization offering palliative care for the terminally ill. Medicare reimbursement of hospice care is likely to be affected by the apparent reluctance of hospices to participate in the Medicare program.