Hospice care is a form of palliative care that focuses on providing comfort and pain relief to people who are in the last months or years of their lives. It also focuses on the quality of life, not just prolonging it. Hospice care can be either at home, in a residential hospice facility, or in an institution such as a hospital. It is vitally important for patients and their families to understand what hospice care means.
There are a lot of misconceptions about hospice care, and it is important to dispel these myths in order to make an informed decision. Hospice care is not the same as “giving up” on your loved one, nor is it just for those with a terminal diagnosis. Many hospice patients suffer from chronic pain or other conditions that cannot be treated with medication, so hospice nurses provide comfort measures to ease their discomfort and help them live out their final days in peace.
Here are 5 common misconceptions that people have about hospice care and the truth about those myths:
Myth #1 – “Hospices only provide end-of-life services.”
Truth: A misconception about hospice care is that it’s only for those who are expected to die soon- this couldn’t be farther from the truth! Patients can receive hospice care at any point during their illness, even if they’re still receiving treatment (such as chemotherapy) for another condition. Although hospice care does not speed up or extend life, patients suffering from certain diseases live somewhat longer with hospice care than those who do not receive it.
Myth #2 – “It’s only for the patient.”
Truth: Patients receive specialized nursing care, medical equipment and supplies tailored to their terminal condition. Family members are given emotional and spiritual support, continuing education on disease progression and changing care demands, help utilizing community resources, and grief counseling after the loss of a loved one.
Myth #3 – “Hospice is giving up.”
Truth: Patients receive specialized nursing care, medical equipment and supplies tailored to their terminal condition. Family members are given emotional and spiritual support, continuing education on disease progression and changing care demands, help utilizing community resources, and grief counseling after the loss of a loved one.
Myth #4 – “You have to go to a facility to receive hospice.”
Truth: Not all patients have to go into a facility. Some people choose in-home care, which is when the hospice team comes directly to your home during the last stages of life and helps you die at home with dignity.
Myth #5 – “You can’t keep your own medical team if you choose hospice.”
Truth: Once you choose hospice care, your own medical team can still be, and is encouraged to be, involved in managing your condition. They may change some of the medications you’re currently taking to help ease symptoms and make it easier for you to enjoy life again.
Final Thoughts
Hospice is a form of palliative care that combines medical treatment with the primary goal of symptom alleviation and pain management. Hospice staff, which may include doctors and nurses, along with volunteers and family members, attend to the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of both the patient and his or her family. Learning the details about hospice care is the only way to determine if it is the best alternative for you, whether you are a family member, caregiver, or a patient yourself.
