Final answer:
Dame Cecily Saunders is recognized as the founder of the modern hospice movement, having established the first hospice in England in 1967. Her work changed the way end-of-life care was provided, focusing on dignity and pain management in a comfortable environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dame Cecily Saunders is most notably recognized as the founder of the modern hospice movement. She created the first modern hospice in England in 1967, revolutionizing the way end-of-life care was provided. The concept of hospice care is centered on providing individuals who are terminally ill with a dignified death and effective pain management in a humane and comfortable setting, often outside of a hospital.
This change in care was significant as previously, in places like the United States, the approach to death was often not discussed openly, and most deaths occurred in hospitals. Saunders' work has had a profound impact on the care of terminally ill patients, helping them to spend their final days in comfort, often at home. Following her lead, in 1974, Florence Wald founded the first hospice in the United States, and today hospice care is a crucial part of healthcare, supporting millions of Americans and their families.