A comprehensive and holistic form of care for a patient and his family aimed at improving the quality of life of the patient suffering from an incurable disease, and his relatives struggling with everyday problems related to a progressive disease of the patients. The actions undertaken serve to prevent suffering, relieve pain, treat pain and other somatic symptoms and help in solving problems, along with supporting the patient's family.

Services in palliative and hospice care are provided at home (home hospices), in a palliative medicine clinic and in inpatient facilities such as a palliative medicine wards and in an inpatient hospices.