Common Myths About Hospice Care Debunked

If you knew that a significantly better quality of life could be achieved for a loved one, you would not think twice about exploring that option. Yet one of the most beneficial kinds of care – hospice care – is one that family members shy away from, because of a number of misconceptions.

Hospice is intended to help someone with a life-limiting illness find relief from pain and other difficult symptoms, while getting comfort, spiritual, and emotional support. Hospice care is provided around the clock, both for the individual needing care as well as family members. And, for anyone covered by Medicare, hospice care is available for a very low cost or possibly at no charge. Many additional insurance plans cover hospice care too.

Below are some of the top myths as well as the real facts you need to know about hospice care:

• Hospice is just needed during the very end of life. Lots of people mistakenly assume that hospice services are for an individual’s last couple of days, when in reality, the sooner hospice care is started, the better. The criteria for Medicare-covered hospice services are simply for a physician to certify that the person could die within 6 months. The hospice team and the doctor continue to monitor and modify this prognosis ongoing, either discharging the person from hospice if improvement is noted, or re-certifying if life extends beyond 6 months.
• A person can no longer receive medical treatment while on hospice. Although it is correct that typically aggressive treatments that will not lead to a cure are discontinued, the purpose of hospice care is always to help a person with symptom and pain management. Treatments that will improve the person’s level of comfort are a fundamental element of hospice care.
• Hospice takes place in the hospital or a facility. Hospice care is offered wherever the individual and family members wish. In-home hospice care is readily available for individuals who elect to remain at home for a lifetime, or perhaps in a facility setting if preferred. No matter what living arrangement, hospice care is brought to the person – eliminating the requirement to go out to physician’s appointments.

Hospice care is a holistic approach to meeting the needs of the person receiving the care, in addition to his or her loved ones. Beginning care as quickly as possible allows maximum time to receive the resources, support, and comfort needed for the most peaceful transition possible.

For answers to any other questions about hospice care, call our experts for in-home care St. Joseph and nearby Michigan areas trust most at our location closest to you:

• Battle Creek: 269-963-9888
• Kalamazoo: 269-373-5444
• Paw Paw: 269-763-5350
• Joseph: 269-849-9252

We can share some additional helpful information with regards to the benefits of hospice care and provide you with a free in-home consultation to talk about the options that are available to you.