Palliative care is designed to aid patients at any stage of a serious illness and includes interventions delivered alongside curative and life-prolonging therapies. The primary goals are to facilitate informed decision-making and improved quality of life. A physician or advanced practice nurse provides a consult, recommendations, and may conduct follow-up visits. Patients who decide to stop curative treatments and are in the final six months of life are referred to hospice care, where the emphasis is on maintaining quality of life and comfort toward a peaceful death.