Final answer:
The goals of long-term care focus on promoting functional independence and comfort for those with chronic or terminal conditions, with hospice care providing a compassionate approach to end-of-life care that emphasizes patient comfort and support for families. The Correct Option is C) Promote function independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The goals of long-term care include a range of objectives that depend on the individual's needs but generally revolve around promoting functional independence, managing chronic conditions, and making terminally ill individuals as comfortable as possible, also known as palliative care. Although curing multiple chronic conditions is not usually a direct goal due to the nature of long-term conditions, the intent is to maintain the highest possible quality of life. When it comes to terminal illnesses, hospice care plays a critical role as it emphasizes comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatments.
Hospice care is instrumental in changing the perspective on the end-of-life process, allowing terminally ill patients to spend their final days in comfort, often in their own homes surrounded by loved ones. It offers specialized care focused on pain management and emotional support for both the patient and their families, alleviating the caregiving burden all may experience. The proactive involvement of the elderly in planning their own end-of-life care, including the drafting of living wills and decisions about housing with integrated care options, underscores the modern approach that embraces patient autonomy and dignity.