The step before hospice is often referred to as palliative care. Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on relieving symptoms and improving the quality of life for people with serious illnesses, regardless of their life expectancy. It can be provided at any stage of a serious illness and is often used alongside curative treatments. The goal of palliative care is to relieve the symptoms, pain, and stress of serious illness and improve the patient’s overall quality of life. Palliative care can be provided in a hospital, clinic, or another setting and may involve a team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, and chaplains.