Hospice: Myth vs Fact

• Myth – Hospice care is only for people with cancer.
• Fact – Hospice care is available for individuals with any terminal illness, including but not limited to cancer, heart disease, ALS, dementia, and more.

• Myth – Hospice means giving up hope.
• Fact – Hospice focuses on enhancing quality of life, comfort, and dignity for patients with terminal illnesses, providing support and care to promote emotional well-being and meaningful experiences.

• Myth – Hospice is only for the elderly.
• Fact – Hospice care is available to individuals of all ages facing terminal illnesses, including children and young adults. Pediatric hospice care specifically caters to the unique needs of children and their families.

• Myth – Hospice is only for the final days or weeks of life.
• Fact – Patients can receive hospice care for six months or longer, depending on their prognosis and the progression of their illness. Early enrollment allows patients to benefit from comprehensive support and symptom management.

• Myth – Hospice care can only be provided in a facility.
• Fact – Hospice care can be provided in various settings, including a patient’s home, assisted living facility, nursing home, or dedicated hospice facility, depending on the patient’s preferences and need

• Myth – Hospice means stopping all medical treatment.
• Fact – While curative treatments may be discontinued when transitioning to hospice care, patients still receive medical care focused on symptom management, pain relief, and enhancing quality of life.

• Myth – Hospice is only for people who are actively dying.
• Fact – Hospice care is appropriate for individuals with a terminal illness who have a prognosis of six months or less if the disease follows its natural course. Predicting the exact timing of death is difficult, and hospice provides support throughout the end-of-life journey.

• Myth – Hospice is expensive and not covered by insurance.
• Fact – Hospice care is typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. Patients and their families receive comprehensive services at no additional cost, including medications, medical equipment, and interdisciplinary support.

• Myth – Hospice care is solely focused on the patient.
• Fact – Hospice care extends support to the entire family, providing counseling, respite care, and bereavement services to loved ones before and after the patient’s death. The interdisciplinary hospice team addresses the emotional, practical, and spiritual needs of both patients and families.

• Myth – Once enrolled in hospice, patients cannot leave the program.
• Fact – Patients have the right to revoke hospice care at any time if they choose to pursue curative treatments or other care options. Hospice is a patient-centered approach that respects individual autonomy and preferences.