The provision of nourishment. In health care, the nourishment under consideration is that required for the mental, spiritual, emotional, and social wellbeing of the patient and family as well as their physical well-being. The topic is getting increasing attention as hospital stays are becoming shorter and hospitalization is often being avoided altogether; the nurturing formerly provided by the hospital is proportionately reduced. The situation is compounded in today’s society by many factors, including family members’ diminished acceptance of responsibility for nurturing one another. Health care organizations, community and church support groups, and others are increasing their efforts to assist with nurturing in the home and other settings.