BackDispelling the Myths of Hospice Care
Article submitted by Mountain Valley Health Care. They can be reached at 970-346-9700 or visit www.mountainvalleyhealth.com
"We wish we had known about hospice sooner."
This is the most common statement made by families who choose hospice for their loved one. More than 1.2 million people were served by the Nation's 4000 hospice programs last year, yet for every person who received hospice care, it is estimated that another individual would have benefited from the services of hospice but didn't get this compassionate care at the end of their lives. My wife's doctor suggested hospice; that must mean that my partner has only a few days left to live. Hospice care is available to anyone who has a life-threatening or terminal illness, that has a prognosis of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. Patients can remain in hospice longer than six months if necessary.
For 25 years, hospice care has been a fully covered benefit under Medicare. Hospice care is also covered by Medicaid and most private insurance plans for years, yet many myths still exist.
1. Choosing hospice means that I'm "giving up."
When cure is no longer possible, hospice provides the type of care most people say they want at the end of
life-comfort and quality of life. The most common statement made by families who chose hospice for their loved
one is, "we wish we had known about hospice sooner."
2. Hospice care won't allow me or my family to be involved in making decisions about treatment.
Hospice puts patients and families at the center of care. Trained professionals provide guidance and encourage
open, honest communication about individual wishes and choices.
3. I want to care for my husband at home; I don't want him to go to a hospice.
Hospice is not a place but a philosophy of care. The majority of hospice care takes place in the home, where the
person can be surrounded by family and familiar settings.
4. My mother was admitted to the hospital. The Doctor wants hospice care at the hospital and now I can't
bring her home to care for her.
Hospice and palliative care is available in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and even
hospitals-wherever the patient lives and considers home. The majority of hospice care is provided in the home,
where the person can be surrounded by family and familiar settings.
5. Hospice care just keeps dying people heavily medicated; all they focus on is the physical process of
dying.
Hospice pain management is highly specialized and tailored to each individual, to ensure the highest quality of
life possible to live each day until the end. In addition, hospice utilizes complementary therapies such as
music and art, and provides emotional and spiritual support to the dying person and the loved ones, including
bereavement support for the family after the death.