Hospice Myths VS. Facts

Top Ten Myths About Hospice

Hospice care helps patients and families focus on living. While this may surprise most, it is just one of various misunderstandings about end-of-life care that needs clarification. To set the record straight, Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois offers the following “Top Ten Myths about Hospice.”

10: Hospice is where you go when there is nothing more a doctor can do.

False: Hospice is not just a place, but a very specific type of clinical supportive care given to people in the final phase of a terminal illness. It focuses on symptom management, comfort and quality of life.

9: To be eligible for hospice, I have to be in the final stages of dying.

False: Patients may be admitted into hospice with a diagnosis of six months or less. They can receive care for an unlimited amount of time, depending upon the course of the illness.

8: Quality care at the end of life is very expensive.

False: Medicare and most insurance plans cover hospice care. HPNI provides care to anyone regardless of ability to pay. Being on hospice can actually save patients money by reducing emergency room visits.

7: If I chose hospice care, I have to leave my home.

False: Hospice care is provided wherever the patient may be: at home, a nursing home, an assisted living facility, inpatient unit, or hospital.

6: Hospice care is only for cancer or elderly patients.

False: Hospice is for anyone facing a life-limiting illness, regardless of age.

5: After the patient’s death, hospice care ends.

False: Grief support is available to families for up to 13 months after the death of a patient.

4: Hospice doctors want me to give up all treatments for my illness.

False: Hospice professionals are trained to assist patients in living their lives fully, and without pain. If certain treatments and medications will help control symptoms, then they are included in the care plan.

3: Once I’m on hospice care, I cannot stop.

False: Sometimes, after being on hospice care, a patient gets stronger and is able to resume curative treatments, such as chemotherapy. When that occurs, the patient may be released from the hospice program.

2: Hospice care is provided by a visiting nurse.

False: Hospice care is provided by an interdisciplinary team consisting of a physician, nurse, nursing assistant, chaplain, social worker, integrative therapist and volunteer.

1: All hospices are the same.

False: Hospices vary from agency to agency. There are for-profits and non-profits, independents and chains. Each and every hospice is different which is why it is very important for patients and families to research various hospices before making a selection.