Hospice Myths and Misconceptions
Hospice Myths and Misconceptions
MYTH: Hospice means “giving up” or “giving up hope.”
FACT: Hospice focuses on maximizing quality of life when a cure is no longer possible or the burden of the cure is more than the benefit. Hospice can help people revise what they hope for and focus on living each day to the fullest.
MYTH: Hospice is a place people go when there is nothing more that can be done.
FACT: Hospice is not a place but a philosophy of care that focuses on what matters most, wherever the person calls home. Hospice professionals can do so many things to control pain, reduce anxiety, offer spiritual and emotional support to help a person live well with the time they have.
MYTH: Hospice care is only for people who are going to die soon.
FACT: Receiving hospice care does not mean death is imminent. Hospice is for people with a presumed 6 month life expectancy, but many people wait too long or are referred late. The earlier a person receives hospice care, the more opportunity there is to stabilize the medical condition and address other needs.
MYTH: Choosing hospice means giving up all medical treatment.
FACT: The reality is that hospice places the person and their family at the center of the care-planning process and provides high quality care that is comfort focused and includes careful pain and symptom management.
MYTH: Hospice care is expensive.
FACT: Hospice care, including professional visits, medications, medical supplies, and equipment related to the hospice diagnosis is a Medicare benefit. Medi-Cal and most private insurers also cover hospice.
MYTH: Hospice provides 24 hour care.
FACT: Hospice care is based on intermittent visits but is available 24/7 for support and care. Hospice can help the family arrange 24 hour care by private duty caregivers if necessary.
MYTH: Hospice uses Morphine and other strong medications that cause the patient to die sooner.
FACT: Hospice uses Morphine and other medications carefully to keep the patient comfortable and as alert as possible. These medications do not cause death.
MYTH: Once you choose hospice there is no turning back.
FACT: You are free to leave a hospice program any time and for any reason you want without penalty. You can re-enroll in hospice again as long as you meet the medical criteria.
Contact Details
Oasis Hospice 43845 10th St W. Suite 2C, Lancaster, CA 93534
Ph: 661.206.7741
Fax: 661.802.7714 WWW.OASISHOSPICE.ORG
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