Myths About Hospice care

Myths about Hospice
Care
Ameriprime Hospice LLC
www.ameriprimehospice.com
(972) 590-8912

Myths About Hospice care
Hospice Care is professional
medical care with a focus on pain
management and symptom relief
with respect and dignity. Hospice
teams of professionals and
volunteers also address the
emotional, social, and spiritual
needs of the patient and the whole
family. Hospice care is design to
give relief to patient and love ones.

Myth#1 Hospice care
really means to give
up all efforts?
No, hospice care aims to provide
comfort with dignity to someone who
has been told that nothing can be
done. If person has no chances of
survival still quality of life can be
improved. Love ones can be trained to
handle stress and changes going on. In
a broader picture hospice care
minimize the negative impact of death
on society.

Myth#2 Hospice care help
only cancer or Aids patients
only?
No, hospice care is not limited to
cancer or Aids. It includes many other
life-limiting illnesses such as end-stage
heart, lung or kidney disease, or
Alzheimer’s and other dementias. It is
always recommended for family
members to consult physician or
Hospice social worker to check if
patient qualify for the hospice care.

Myth#3 Hospice is a place where people go to
die?
It is true for inpatient hospice, Most of
the hospice clients receive this service
at private residences, assisted living
communities, hospitals and long-termcare
facilities. Some patients and
family members prefer to stay home
and some prefer to utilize hospice
service in institutional setting.

Myth#4 Getting hospice
care means patient is
going to die shortly.
Hospice care does not accelerate the
process of death and it does not help
to prolong the life. It only improves the
quality of remaining life. Many patients
in hospice care get well and go back
to their normal life. There many patients
who have received hospice care
several time in their lives. So we cannot
say that hospice care always means
that patient is going to die.

Myth#5 My family physician
won’t be involved in
hospice care
Yes, your physician can be
involved in your care. Hospice
physician (Medical director
has legal responsibilities so he
has to be involved)

Myth#6 Only doctor Can
recommend hospice care.
It is better that family members or love
ones initiate discussion because
sometimes it upsetting for families if
doctor initiate this discussion. Patient
himself, or family members can consult
Hospice social worker to find if patient
meets the criteria for the hospice care.

Myth#7 patient
can’t quit hospice
program.
Yes, if patient get better or due to any
reason patient can quit hospice care and
can rejoin when meet the eligibility.

Myth#8 patient can’t
receive other treatment with
hospice care.
Yes, if care improves the quality of life
and does not prolong life.

Myth# Hospice
patient must have
DNR
No, It is not must.

Myth#10 To be eligible for
hospice, I have to be in
the final stages of dying.
Hospice patients and families receive care for
an unlimited amount of time, depending upon
the course of the illness. There is no fixed limit
on the amount of time a patient may
continue to receive hospice services.

Myth#11 Quality
care at the end
of life is very
expensive.
Medicare beneficiaries pay
little or nothing for hospice.
For those ineligible for
Medicare, most insurance
plans, HMO’s, and managed
care plans cover hospice
care.

Myth#12 Families are not
able to care for people
with terminal illnesses.
Family members are
encouraged, supported, and
trained by hospice
professionals to care for their
loved ones. Hospice staff is on
call to the patient and their
families 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week, to help family and
friends care for their loved
ones.

Myth#13 Hospice is just for the elderly.
No, Hospice is for anyone facing
a terminal illness, regardless of
age. Children, Adults and elderly
patients all can receive hospice
care as long as they meet the
criteria of hospice care.

Myth#14 Hospice care end after patient death.
No, it does not always end after patient’s death.
Bereavement services and grief support are available to
family members for up to one year after the death of a
patient. Many families face emotional issues after the
death of love ones. Hospice care is available to resolve
those issues. We may say hospice care has healing effects
on emotions of patient and love ones.

Myth#15 Hospice Care is only for people who can accept death.
It is not necessary. Hospice patient has to
accept that now he does not want medical
treatment which can lead to the
recovery. While those affected by terminal
illness struggle to come to terms with
death, hospices gently help them find their
way at their own speed. Many hospices
welcome inquiries from families who are
unsure about their needs and preferences.
It is always recommended to contact your
physician and hospice social worker to get
advice. Hospice staff are readily available
to discuss all options and to facilitate
family decisions.