Final answer:
The correct answer is option 1) Palliative care.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that best describes care that seeks to improve quality of life by reducing suffering is 1) Palliative care. Palliative care is a specialized form of medical care focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. Its goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Unlike hospice care, which is typically reserved for those at the end of life, palliative care can be provided alongside curative treatments and at any stage of a serious illness.
The practice of palliative care involves addressing physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual needs while also providing support to the patient's family. Increasingly, hospice services offer at-home care, allowing patients to spend their final days in the comfort of their own homes, surrounded by loved ones.
Modern hospice care can be seen as an evolution of our society's approach to dying, with an emphasis on ensuring a dignified death and managing pain outside of a hospital setting. The family members of hospice patients often receive emotional support, are kept informed about treatment, and experience reduced caregiving burden. Research has indicated that hospice care not only benefits patients by letting them remain at home but also extends patient survival time and enhances the coping and support systems for both patients and families.