Palliative care works to provide comfort, reduce suffering, and improve the quality of life for patients being treated for serious illnesses. Hospice care focuses on helping patients with terminal illnesses to manage the final stages of their lives. Palliative and hospice care services include: - Pain and symptom management. - Emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial support for patients and their families. - Assistance with practical issues that include an advance directive (living will), health care power of attorney, funeral arrangements, and applying for VA death and burial benefits. - Education to help patients and their families make informed health care decisions and know what to expect as health declines. - Bereavement care to help surviving family members during the grieving process.