There are many misconceptions about HospiceCare. You will find some of the greatest misconceptions below. Please contact us if you have a question that is not answered here.
Myth: The person who is ill must be close to death in order to be admitted to HospiceCare.
Fact: Persons with an illness, who have a life expectancy of approximately six months or less, are appropriate for HospiceCare. Because hospice provides not only physical care but also addresses emotional and spiritual care, staff can be most helpful to persons who are ill and their families when there is time to assess individual needs and establish a mutual trusting relationship.
Myth: HospiceCare only cares for persons with cancer.
Fact: HospiceCare is appropriate for persons with any life-limiting illness when the primary goal of care is to maintain comfort, manage symptoms and help the individual remain as active as possible.
Myth: HospiceCare patients cannot be hospitalized.
Fact: The majority of persons receiving care from HospiceCare wish to avoid hospitalization as much as possible. Staff are experienced at managing the symptoms and problems that would normally require hospitalization. However, if hospitalization is necessary for the management of symptoms, it can be arranged without discontinuing HospiceCare services. Many patients who experience pain or symptoms that cannot be managed in the home are admitted to the Inpatient Unit of the Don & Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center.
Myth: The patient’s personal physician can no longer be involved after admission to a HospiceCare program.
Fact: A patient’s own physician remains the primary physician. HospiceCare works closely with the primary physician to ensure that individuals get the best care possible.
Myth: HospiceCare will “take over.”
Fact: HospiceCare is a team effort. The person receiving the care and his/her family lead the team by defining their individual needs.
Myth: HospiceCare patients cannot receive treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, blood transfusions.
Fact: HospiceCare accepts persons who are receiving—or may receive—these types of treatments if the patient’s life expectancy remains approximately six months or less and the goal of care is no longer cure.
Myth: HospiceCare provides around-the-clock nursing care.
Fact: HospiceCare provides regular in-home nursing visits and assistance with personal care. There is also 24-hour access to a nurse and a social worker for information, support and problem-solving, either over the phone or by a home visit.
Myth: HospiceCare is limited to a maximum of six months.
Fact: There is no limit to the length of HospiceCare services provided the patient meets the criteria of a life expectancy of approximately six months or less. If a patient’s disease stabilizes and no longer progresses, a patient may be discharged from HospiceCare. The patient may be readmitted if the life expectancy meets the six-month criteria.
Myth: HospiceCare focuses on the acceptance of death.
Fact: HospiceCare recognizes that we all have different and unique goals, beliefs and coping strategies. HospiceCare does not force discussions about the acceptance of death, but staff remain available to discuss any issues important to patients and their families.
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