Final answer:
Hospice care is the healthcare setting for terminally ill patients expected to die within six months, focusing on comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatments, with an increasing preference for patients to die at home.
Step-by-step explanation:
The healthcare setting designed for people who are expected to die within six months is known as hospice care. The concept of hospice has evolved as society's views on death have changed, emphasizing a dignified and peaceful end-of-life experience. Hospice care provides specialized care for terminally ill patients, focusing on comfort and pain management rather than curative treatments. Patients can receive hospice care in various settings, including hospice facilities, hospitals, or at home, with the latter being a place where they can spend their final days in the comfort of a familiar environment, surrounded by loved ones. The hospice movement began in England with Cicely Saunders in 1967 and was established in the United States by Florence Wald in 1974.
Studies have shown that many people prefer to die at home as opposed to in a hospital, leading to an increase in at-home hospice services. This shift reflects the preference of individuals to pass in the peace and comfort of their own homes, supported by a team of trained healthcare professionals. The creation of hospice centers and the promotion of at-home care services are seen as compassionate steps to ensure a better quality of end-of-life care for terminally ill patients and support for their families during this challenging time.