Palliative care is the active, total care of the patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. Control of pain, of other symptoms, and of social, psychological and spiritual problems is paramount.

Palliative care is interdisciplinary in its approach and encompasses the patient, the family and the community in its scope. In a sense, palliative care is to offer the most basic concept of care – that of providing for the needs of the patient wherever he or she is cared for, either at home or in the hospital.

Palliative care affirms life and regards dying as a normal process; it neither hastens nor postpones death. It sets out to preserve the best possible quality of life until death.

NOTE: In the occasion of the revision of the By laws as regognised Onlus in December 1998 (according to the new law for non profit Associations) the EAPC also revised its definition that dated of Spring 1989.

• Increase the awareness and promote the development and dissemination of palliative care at scientific, clinical and social levels
• Promote the implementation of the enormous knowledge existing in palliative care, promote the training at universities and recognized schools, of those who, at any level, are involved with the care of the terminally ill, and promote study and research
• Bring together those who study and practice the disciplines connected with the care patients with advanced disease , their relatives and care givers (doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, volunteers and others)
• Address the ethical problems associated with the treatment of the terminally ill
• Establish an international network for the exchange of information and expertise
• Promote or sponsor publications or periodicals concerning palliative care.
• Promote the creation and the application of laws and regulations at European, regional and national levels, as well as the availability of funding that guarantee the access to best palliative care possible to all patients who need it, within the health care and social systems