Which term refers to a healthcare program for persons who are terminally ill?

The term that specifically refers to a healthcare program for individuals who are terminally ill is hospice. Hospice care is designed to provide comprehensive support to patients facing a terminal diagnosis, focusing on quality of life rather than curative treatment. This type of care emphasizes comfort and support for both patients and their families, often involving an interdisciplinary team that addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

While palliative care is also focused on comfort and can be provided at any stage of illness, hospice care specifically applies when a patient is expected to have a limited time left due to their terminal condition. Rehabilitation generally refers to efforts to restore function or improve health in patients recovering from illness or injury, and outpatient care involves services not requiring an overnight stay in a healthcare facility. Thus, the defining characteristics of hospice make it the correct term for this type of care for those who are terminally ill.