Hospice Myths
Debunking Hospice Myths
People often believe hospice care is about “giving up.” What many don’t realize is that hospice offers comfort, support and compassionate care to patients and their loved ones.
If you or a loved one is considering hospice care as the next step on your health care journey, here are answers to several common hospice myths.
Myth: Hospice means giving up hope.
Hospice has a large focus on quality of life as well as pain and symptom management. Hospice helps people focus on what matters to them; living the best life possible, creating memories with loved ones, planning for a special trip or working towards a specific goal.
Myth: Patients die sooner with hospice.
Hospice care does not speed up or slow down the death process. This program of care simply helps to manage pain and other symptoms.
Myth: Hospice patients must stop all current health treatments to receive hospice care.
A patient can be discharged from hospice if their health improves, or their disease goes into remission. Choosing to start hospice care is a voluntary option for patients. If hospice care is not working for you or your loved one, individuals can return to traditional care at any time.
Myth: Hospice is only for patients who have a few days to live.
Hospice care is for anyone expected to live six months or less as determined by a physician. Receiving hospice services early offers time to coordinate care, stabilize a patient’s medical condition, tend to emotional or spiritual issues and take care of other needs more effectively.
Myth: Hospice patients are automatically discharged if they live beyond six months.
If someone receives hospice care through Medicare, they must have a life expectancy of six months or less. If a patient’s physician confirms they have a terminal illness, they can continue to receive hospice services even after six months.
Myth: Patients must have a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) to receive hospice care.
Individuals do not need a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order to receive hospice. Having a DNR order means that if your heart stops or you can’t breathe, medical staff will let you die naturally. Reach out to our hospice clinicians if you have questions or concerns about DNR orders.
We provide comfort and support to patients and their families in a manner that cherishes dignity and individuality. Our people-centered care model is a collaboration between our patients, their loved ones and our health care team.
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