Serious illnesses can cause physical symptoms, such as pain, nausea, fatigue, depression or anxiety. Stepping Stone Hospice provides specialised care, focusing on the reduction of pain and symptoms of life-threatening illness. Palliative care is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual (WHO, 2003) . Care can be provided in the home, hospital or In-Patient-Unit. *Regular home visits by the Hospice Sister assures that the need is re-assessed on a regular basis as the patient's condition changes. Hospice Care includes pain and symptom control; nursing management i. e. how to deal with incontinence, wound dressing, prevention of bed sores, colostomy care.

Providing palliative home based care to people living with life threatening illnesses.