By Tara Connolly, Vice President & Chief Growth Officer, VIA Health Partners
Despite continual growth in awareness and access, society still harbors myths about hospice and the care it provides. These misconceptions contribute to the underutilization of hospice services. This is unfortunate because many patients with life-limiting illnesses could benefit from the expert pain and symptom control, as well as the emotional, social, and spiritual support that hospice care provides. Learn the truth behind the myths that contribute to the stigma surrounding this form of end-of-life care.
Myth #1: Hospice is a place.
Fact: Hospice is a philosophy of care that focuses on comfort rather than a cure. It is about making the most of each day and enjoying the best quality of life possible. Care is provided wherever a patient calls home, whether it’s their own home, a group home, assisted living facility or long-term care facility.
Myth #2: Hospice is for when “nothing else can be done.”
Fact: Hospice is the “something else that can be done” for the patient and their family when their illness cannot be cured. It is a shift to comfort-oriented treatment that is focused on helping the patient live their life to the fullest. In addition to managing pain and symptoms, most hospice programs provide extensive counseling and social service support to address the emotional and spiritual aspects of coping with a terminal illness.
Myth #3: Hospice care is expensive.
Fact: Hospice is a fully funded Medicare/Medicaid benefit, unlimited in length, and covered by most private insurance companies.
Myth #4: All hospice care is the same.
Fact: While all hospices must follow the same rules and regulations, how they interpret them can be very different. This can result in different levels of care. There are over 4300 hospices operating in the United States. It is important to understand the differences amongst providers to make the best choice.
Myth #5: Hospice will only treat symptoms related to the terminal diagnosis.
Fact: Hospice specializes in palliative care – that is, care designed to provide comfort. Providing that comfort requires treating illnesses unrelated to their terminal illness. Illnesses or injuries like UTIs, pneumonia, and broken bones always receive appropriate attention.
Myth #6: Patients must sign a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) prior to an admission to hospice.
Fact: Signing a DNR is not required for admission. If a patient or family makes the decision to sign one, it can be done at any time.
Myth #7: In order to refer a patient to hospice a physician must be certain that the patient will die in 6 months.
Fact: It is not uncommon for hospice patients to exceed their initial prognosis of 6 months or less. In fact, several patients each year are discharged from hospice care after a significant improvement in their overall health.
Myth #8: Once I choose hospice, I lose my relationship with my doctor.
Fact: Most hospices encourage the family physician to remain engaged in the patient’s care since they know them better (medically) than anyone else, and can help determine how to address their specific needs.
