Quality care at the end of life addresses a person's physical comfort, daily care, and emotional and spiritual needs. If you're caring for a family member or friend who's approaching the end of life, learn what to expect and how you can support end-of-life care. Best practices in end-of-life care If a friend or family member has a life-limiting illness or is nearing death, you'll likely hear the terms "palliative care" and "hospice care." Palliative care is care to alleviate pain and manage barriers to a good quality of life while undergoing treatment for a serious illness, such as cancer. Palliative care may begin early in treatment and continue even after disease treatment ends. Hospice care is a service for a person who has discontinued disease-fighting treatments and is preparing to die. Hospice care services provide a means to monitor end-of-life care needs, coordinate professional and family caregiving, and address the entire spectrum of needs at the end of life. This care can be provided in the home, assisted-living residences, nursing homes, hospitals and hospice-care facilities. Palliative and hospice care depend on a team of people with different specialties, including: Doctors Nurses Home health aides Social workers or counselors Clergy or other spiritual advisors