Myths and Facts

Myths and Facts About Hospice

Myth: Hospice only provides care for people diagnosed with cancer.
Fact: Hospice provides care for seriously ill individuals and their loved ones regardless of diagnosis.

Myth: Hospice care is for individuals who are very close to death.
Fact: An early referral to our program enables individuals and families to fully benefit from our services and support. If you think you or a loved one might benefit from hospice services, feel free to call us.

Myth: Hospice patients must be home bound.
Fact: Patients need not be home bound to receive services. We help patients to be as active as possible.

Myth: Choosing hospice means the patient no longer receives treatments or therapies.
Fact: Treatments or therapies may be administered to provide comfort care. When appropriate, patients can receive chemotherapy, radiation, transfusions, physical therapy, and massage therapy.

Myth: Hospice provides care only for patients.
Fact: Hospice also focuses attention on the patient's family. Emotional and spiritual support as well as caregiver education and volunteer services are geared to meet the needs of loved ones.

Myth: Only senior citizens can receive hospice services.
Fact: Hospice care is available for people of all ages - infants, children, adults and seniors.

Myth: Hospice patients can no longer see their own physician.
Fact: Hospice encourages patients’ physicians to follow the patient and participate in their care.

Myth: Accepting hospice care means that hope is lost.
Fact: Hope for cure is transformed to hope for comfort, acceptance and peace.

Myth: Hospice care is only for those with private insurance.
Fact: Hospice serves everyone, regardless of ability to pay. Hospice is fully covered under Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans.

Myth: Hospice patients must have a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order in place in order to receive services.
Fact: There is NO requirement for a patient to have a DNR order.

Myth: Once someone is admitted onto the hospice program, they cannot leave.
Fact: Individuals can choose to discontinue hospice services at any time.

Myth: Hospice staff encourages the use of morphine for all hospice patients.
Fact: Morphine is often used to control pain or shortness of breath.  Not all patients expereince these symptoms. Each person’s symptoms are controlled in consultation with their physician in a way that works best for them.