Back in civilian life he worked in the plastics industry and, on a voluntary basis, comforted terminally ill hospice patients.

Routine care may be provided at a nursing home or assisted living facility, although the majority of hospice patients are treated at home.

Hospital palliative care programs today care for non-terminal patients as well as hospice patients.

Although most hospice patients are in treatment for less than thirty days, care may extend beyond six months so long as a patient's condition continues to merit such medical outlook.