Final answer:
Cicely Saunders started the first modern hospice, St. Christopher's Hospice, in London in 1967, focusing on dignity and pain management for terminally ill patients. This concept has since spread worldwide, including the United States, where the first hospice was founded by Florence Wald in 1974.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first Hospice, St. Christopher's Hospice of London in 1967, was started by Cicely Saunders. This establishment marked a significant shift in end-of-life care, emphasizing the importance of dignity and pain management for terminally ill patients. Unlike traditional hospital settings, hospices focus on providing a humane and comfortable environment, often allowing patients to spend their last days at home. The hospice movement spread globally, with Florence Wald founding the first hospice in the United States in 1974. Today, hospice care is a crucial part of the healthcare system, supporting millions of Americans and their families through the end-of-life journey.