12 Myths and Misconceptions about Hospice Care
12 Myths and Misconceptions about Hospice Care
“Hospice means we’re giving up.”
“If we go to hospice, we can’t see our family member anymore.”
“Hospice is so hard to get into.”
Maybe you have heard these statements, or even said some of them yourself. There are many misconceptions about what hospice care is and the kind of care that it provides. A lot of times, hospice care is misunderstood. The purpose of hospice is to provide care and comfort to the patient and their family in the end-of-life stage. It has come an exceedingly long way over the years. We have created a list of some of the most common misconceptions in hospice care, in an effort to shed some light on what true hospice care really is!
1. “If we go to hospice it means we’re giving up.”
The purpose of hospice is to provide comfort, care for the whole wellbeing of the patient, improved quality of life and to carry out the patients wishes. This is not giving up. This is providing the best quality of care for the end-of-life stage.
2. “Hospice will keep us away from our family.”
This could not be further from the truth. In fact, hospice care encourages family as a whole to spend as much time with the patient as they can. This can foster more peaceful and calmer environment and last days.
3. “Hospice means we will no longer have a say in the care.”
On the contrary. Hospice is there to provide for the wants and needs of the patient and the family. Care plans are individualized based on those wants and needs.
4. “Hospice only gives pain medication.”
This is a common myth within hospice care. Hospice comes in to provide care for the whole wellbeing of the patient. That includes physical, emotional, and spiritual support.
5. “Hospice provides 24-hour care.”
Hospice staff are not in the home around the clock, but they are available for 24 hours. There is always someone on call to assist patients and their families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
6. “Hospice is only for cancer patients.”
Hospice care is for anyone with end-stage chronic disease such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease and Parkinson’s. Most life limiting conditions can be cared for under hospice care.
7. “Hospice is only staffed by Volunteers.”
While hospice service does use volunteers for its patients, we have a staff of physicians, nurses, aides, chaplains, and licensed social workers. As well as administrative staff.
8. “Hospice is only care and support for the patient.”
Hospice services extend beyond just nursing care for the patient. We also provide Chaplain/religious services, social work, and bereavement services. Hospice’s aim is to care for the patient and their families during the process.
9. “Hospice is only for the last weeks of life.”
Hospice is for anyone with a prognosis of six months or less if the disease follows its natural course.
10. “A Doctor must make a referral for hospice.”
A referral can come from anyone including physicians, family or caregivers. It is not required to come from a doctor.
11. “If we go to hospice, we cannot return to regular medical care.”
If a patient shows improvements, or wants to pursue curative treatment, you can be discharged from hospice care.
12. “It is HARD to enroll in hospice care.”
Most of the time it only takes a phone call to get the process started to begin hospice care.
Hospice is here to care for the terminally ill and their families. And it does not end with the death of the patient. Grief and bereavement support is also offered to the family after the passing of their loved one to help them navigate the process. We are here for the whole patient and their family to help care, guide and navigate through some of the toughest time.