Myth
Hospice means giving up hope. |
Fact
Hospice does not mean "giving up hope," rather it focuses on maximizing the quality of life based on an individual's choices so that the person may live life as fully as possible for as long as possible. |
Myth
If a patient goes on hospice, the only outcome is death. |
Fact
Some patients' illnesses and symptoms subside to the point that they may be discharged from hospice care. They can then be re-admitted later when necessary. |
Myth
You can't keep your own doctor on hospice. |
Fact
Most hospices establish working relationships with a large base of referring physicians so that patients can keep their own doctors after admission to hospice care. |
Myth
Hospice is only for cancer patients. |
Fact
Hospice care is available to all terminally ill people and their families, regardless of diagnosis. Some of the most common non-cancer diagnoses are congestive heart failure, dementia, and chronic lung disease. |
Myth
It is too early for hospice if the patient feels good or doesn't have pain. |
Fact
The patient's prognosis, along with a desire for comfort care and support should justify a hospice referral. Common feedback from patients and families is that they wish they had hospice earlier. |
Myth
Hospice is useful only when someone needs a significant amount of pain medication. |
Fact
Hospice care is designed to maximize the quality, relationships, and experience at the end of one's life. This is accomplished by the provision of not only medical care, but also social, psychosocial, and spiritual support given by an inter-disciplinary team that includes a hospice physician, nurse, counselor, chaplain, and other professionals. |
Myth
Hospice provides 24-hour, around-the-clock care. |
Fact
Hospice care is based upon intermittent visits, but is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for supervision and support. Hospice can help the family arrange for 24-hour care by a private duty attendant if necessary. |
Myth
You must have a DNR to be admitted onto hospice services. |
Fact
While the DNR ("Do Not Resuscitate") can be a useful tool for loved ones making difficult decisions, it is not a required document for admission to hospice. |
Myth
Patients can't receive curative treatments while on hospice. |
Fact
While the hospice Medicare benefit requires beneficiaries to forego curative treatments, some hospices accept patients receiving 'aggressive therapy' aimed at managing or alleviating their symptoms. |
Myth
All hospice care is the same. |
Fact
Even in the same community, hospices may vary markedly especially in the kinds of palliative treatment (care aimed at the comfort of the patient) patients can receive and the range of support services. |
Myth
Hospice is only for the sick family member. |
Fact
Hospice is designed to support all family members during the illness, in terms of their emotional needs and the education they may need to best care for their loved one at home. Hospice also offers bereavement support after the death of a loved one. |
Myth
Hospice is a place, so you must leave home to receive hospice. |
Fact
Most hospice care is delivered in the home, though inpatient care is generally available (in hospitals, nursing homes and residential care facilities) to serve those with no at home caregiver, and those whose care is overwhelming to families. |
Myth
Hospice is expensive. |
Fact
In general, hospice costs less than a hospital or nursing home and saves significant money for Medicare. Out-of-pocket costs for the patient are minimal, if any at all. Many hospices won't turn a patient away because of inability to pay. |
Myth
Medicare provides only six months of hospice care, so enrollment should be delayed as long as possible. |
Fact
Medicare does not time-limit the hospice benefit. Patients may enroll in hospice as soon as their physician and the hospice medical director determine that the illness is terminal, with an estimated life-expectancy of six months or less. This requirement does not exist for non-Medicare and non-MediCal patients. Medicare allows hospice to provide care for as long as necessary for terminally ill patients, provided that certain medical criteria continue to be met, and the patient still desires hospice care. |
