Dispelling Hospice Myths
If you or a loved one is facing a terminal illness, hospice care can play a vital role in providing comfort, support, and dignity throughout your journey. But despite its importance, there are many misconceptions and myths surrounding hospice care that often dissuades people from getting the care they need and living every moment to the fullest.
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If you or a loved one is facing a terminal illness, hospice care can play a vital role in providing comfort, support, and dignity throughout your journey. But despite its importance, there are many misconceptions and myths surrounding hospice care that often dissuades people from getting the care they need and living every moment to the fullest.
Myth: Hospice means giving up.
Many people wait to access hospice care because they are worried that choosing hospice means giving up. On the contrary, hospice care provides added support to maintain comfort and quality of life. With visits from nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers, patients receive whole-person care that includes physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Myth: Hospice hastens death.
Hospice does not hasten death, and, in fact, studies have shown that patients who receive hospice care live an average of 29 days longer than those who do not choose hospice care.
The number one thing we hear most from families is that they wish they had started hospice care sooner. Hospice is available for anyone who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness follows its typical progression. Choosing to begin hospice as soon as a patient is eligible allows them to experience the full benefits of quality hospice services.
Myth: Once you go on hospice, you can’t come off.
A patient can choose to come off hospice care at any time, for any reason. If a patient chooses to leave hospice to pursue curative treatments, they can resume hospice when, and if, they are ready.
Myth: Hospice care is expensive.
Worrying about paying for hospice care is very common – but patients and families are often relieved to learn that hospice is fully covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance with no cost to the patient, although copays or deductibles may apply with a private insurer.
Myth: You will stop seeing your primary physician after starting hospice.
Patients on hospice are not restricted from maintaining a relationship with their primary care physician or specialists. In fact, we encourage PCPs and specialists to remain involved because it brings valuable resources to the hospice team and a unique view of the patient-family dynamic and any complications the terminal condition has caused.
For a better understanding of what hospice care is and how it can benefit you, Crossroads is available to take your calls – 24/7/365.