Hospice has fundamentally changed the way that we approach care prior to illness related death. Millions of people have benefited from the patient needs focused companionship and palliative care that are the hallmark of this unique form of end of life care. Hospice care is medical, but also spiritual, emotional, sociological, and psychological. The authors take us on a journey of understanding that covers the history as well as the many benefits hospice provides patients. Readers learn about the critical moments in the movement, but are also exposed to specific patient cases that exemplify the advantages of hospice care. The alternative to hospice, which is often endless rounds of therapy and hospitalizations for disease states that are highly unlikely to be survived, is also explained through case histories and heartbreaking real patient experiences. These examples provide a compelling argument for choosing hospice care earlier in the terminal disease process. The authors also describe the problems with hospice as it is implemented by Medicare in the United States. Hospice care in the US has become a lucrative business and the authors don’t pull any punches when describing some of the dubious business practices of many hospice companies. This book provides a great introduction to many aspects of hospice. Some of the hospice organizations that are discussed are among the most highly regarded in the country. This is a great book for people just learning about hospice as well as for seasoned volunteers, or other hospice workers, who want to learn more about the organization, its history, and current day issues.