Understanding A Few Hospice Myths

If you have a loved one who is very ill, then you may be shocked when a physician suggests that your family member should start considering hospice care. Hospice is positive for many individuals who are terminally ill, but there are unfortunately plenty of myths that surround hospice. Keep reading to learn about a few of these myths about hospice care.

Myth - Hospice Means You Are Ready To Die

Many people equate hospice with death, but this is far from the truth. Hospice is not about dying but about living a high-quality life when a disease can no longer be treated or controlled. In other words, therapeutic treatments are no longer helpful and may actually be harmful to the patient, so they are discontinued and the individual is able to live the remainder of their lives in comfort while surrounded by loved ones.

Hospice is not a death sentence. It simply means that you have decided that you want to focus on palliative care. Pain relief, relaxation, and comfort are the focus of hospice, not dying.

This means that caregivers will pay attention to your overall comfort needs and your wishes. Specialty nurses look after your care and help you and your family prepare for the coming months without the stress of a hospital.

Myth - Hospice Is A Specific Place

When people talk about hospice, they talk about a place where people go when they are terminally ill. However, hospice is not a designated space. It is a philosophy of the type of care that is provided to a patient who is terminally ill. The actual care can take place at a designated hospice care center or at home. In fact, most people choose to have hospice care at home where they are most comfortable.

In the home setting, hospice nurses will come to you and attend to your needs. However, this may mean that you need special equipment and devices to remain at home. For example, hospital beds, IVs, and other medical devices may need to be purchased or rented for the home care setting. Keep this in mind if you or your family member are concerned about costs.

If the home setting is not ideal, then a designated care center may be the best option. These facilities have a dedicated staff available 24 hours a day, and they accept only a few patients at a time so that staff can pay attention to patient needs.