Hospice has introduced "dignity therapy" for terminally ill patients. It is called dignity therapy because it allows those in the closing months of life to assure that their lives have had dignity and purpose. The patient, with the assistance of an interviewer, records answers to specific questions regarding his/her life. The patient is encouraged to speak openly and freely regarding memories, thoughts, and feelings that were experienced over the years. Tantamount to all of this is the ability to advise succeeding generations.