Separate Truths From Myths About Hospice Care

Learn some of the most common myths about hospice care and the true facts about this incredibly beneficial form of care.

If you knew that a significantly better quality of life could be achieved for someone you care about, you would not think twice about exploring that option. Yet one of the most beneficial forms of care – hospice – is one that family members shy away from, due to many different misperceptions and myths about hospice care.

Hospice is meant to help someone with a life-limiting illness find respite from pain and other difficult symptoms, while obtaining comfort as well as spiritual and emotional support. Hospice care is provided night and day, both for the individual needing care as well as family members. And, for anyone covered by Medicare, hospice care is offered for a very low cost or possibly at no cost. Many additional insurance policies cover hospice care as well.

What Are Some Common Myths About Hospice Care?

Here are a few of the top myths in addition to real facts you should know about hospice care:

• Hospice is just needed during the very end of life. Many people mistakenly assume that hospice services are for a person’s last couple of days, when in reality, the earlier hospice care is started, the better. The criteria for Medicare-covered hospice services is simply for a doctor to attest that the individual could pass away within six months. The hospice team and the doctor continue to monitor and modify this prognosis ongoing, either discharging the person from hospice if improvement is noted, or re-certifying if life extends beyond six months.
• An individual can no longer receive medical treatment while on hospice. Although it’s true that typically aggressive treatments that won’t result in a cure are discontinued, the objective of hospice care is to help a person with pain and symptom management. Treatments designed to optimize the person’s comfort are an integral part of hospice care.
• Hospice takes place in a facility or at a hospital. Hospice care is available anywhere the individual and family members wish. In-home hospice care is readily available for individuals who decide to remain at home for a lifetime, or in a facility setting if preferred. No matter what living arrangement, hospice care is brought to the person – cutting out the need to go out to doctors’ appointments.

Hospice care is a holistic approach to meeting the needs of the individual receiving the care, in addition to his or her family members. Beginning care as quickly as possible allows maximum time to receive the resources, comfort, and support needed for the most peaceful transition possible.

For answers to any other questions about hospice care, give us a call at (866) 940-4343. We can share some additional helpful information about the benefits of hospice care, and provide you with a complimentary in-home consultation to talk with you about the options that are available to you. Our comprehensive home care services are available throughout Petaluma, Napa, Sausalito, and the surrounding areas.