Hospice care provides comprehensive support for individuals facing life-limiting illnesses and their families, addressing physical, psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual needs. If your family is considering hospice, you might encounter misconceptions about what it entails. This blog aims to clear up any myths about hospice care.

What is Hospice Care?

Hospice is defined as supportive care focused on comfort and quality of life for patients with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less, as certified by a physician. Instead of pursuing aggressive treatments, hospice prioritizes comfort and quality of life.

An interdisciplinary team, including physicians, nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, and more, collaborates to provide care wherever the patient resides and to guide both the patient and their family through the end-of-life journey.

Hospice is Only for the Last Few Days of Life

Many people believe hospice care is only appropriate in the final days of life. In reality, hospice care can and should begin earlier, once a patient has a terminal diagnosis with a life expectancy of six months or less. Starting hospice care sooner can improve quality of life and provide better symptom management.

Hospice Means Giving Up Hope

Entering hospice does not mean giving up hope. It means shifting the focus from curative treatment to comfort care. Patients and families can find hope in improving the quality of the remaining life, making meaningful memories, and achieving personal goals.

Hospice is Only for Cancer Patients

While hospice care is often associated with cancer, it is available for any terminal illness, including heart disease, COPD, dementia, liver disease, ALS, and more. Many patients with non-cancer diagnoses benefit greatly from hospice services.

When I reflect on the stories of death supported by hospice care and contrast it with our story depicting an absence of support, I find myself dealing with envy and anger. I channeled those emotions into this book with the hope that hearing our story might give someone else a chance to create a better ending to the life of a loved one.

― Lisa J. Shultz, A Chance to Say Goodbye: Reflections on Losing a Parent

Hospice is a Place

Hospice is not a physical location; it is a type of care provided wherever the patient lives, whether in their own home, a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or a hospice center. The goal is to provide care in the most comfortable and familiar environment for the patient.

Hospice Hastens Death

Hospice care does not hasten death. Instead, it focuses on comfort and quality of life, managing pain and symptoms to help patients live their remaining time as fully and comfortably as possible.

Once You Choose Hospice, You Can't Leave

Patients can choose to stop hospice care at any time if their condition improves or if they decide to pursue curative treatments again. Hospice care is flexible and respects the patient’s and family’s wishes.

Hospice Care Means No Medical Treatment

Hospice care involves extensive medical treatment aimed at relieving pain and managing symptoms rather than curing the illness. This includes medications, therapies, and support from a team of healthcare professionals.

Hospice Care is Expensive

Hospice care is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. This coverage includes medical services, medications related to the terminal illness, and necessary equipment and supplies.

Hospice is Only for the Elderly

While hospice is often associated with older adults, it is available to anyone with a terminal illness, regardless of age. Children and younger adults with life-limiting conditions can also receive hospice care.

Hospice Care Doesn't Support the Family

Hospice care provides extensive support to families and caregivers, including respite care, emotional support, education, and bereavement counseling for up to 13 months after the patient’s death. This helps families cope with the emotional and practical aspects of caring for a terminally ill loved one.