We Wish We Had Known About Hospice Sooner
Oct 27, 2015
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For 25 years, hospice care has been a fully covered benefit under Medicare. Hospice care is also covered by Medicaid and most private insurance plans for years, yet many myths still exist.
1. Choosing hospice means that Im giving up.
When cure is no longer possible, hospice provides the type of care most people say they want at the end of life--comfort and quality of life. The most common statement made by families who chose hospice for their loved one is, we wish we had known about hospice sooner.
2. Hospice care wont allow me or my family to be involved in making decisions about treatment.
Hospice puts patients and families at the center of care. Trained professionals provide guidance and encourage open, honest communication about individual wishes and choices.
3. My grandmother died in a great deal of pain, but thats just to be expected as part of the dying process.
Hospice doctors, nurses, and others are specially trained to control each persons pain, while still keeping the patient awake and alert whenever possible.
4. I want to care for my husband at home; I dont want him to go to a hospice.
Hospice is not a place but a philosophy of care. The majority of hospice care takes place in the home, where the person can be surrounded by family and familiar settings.
5. My mother was admitted to the hospital. The Doctor wants hospice care at the hospital and now I cant bring her to my home to care for her.
Hospice and palliative care is available in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and even hospitals--wherever the patient lives and considers home. The majority of hospice care is provided in the home, where the person can be surrounded by family and familiar settings.
6. Hospice care just keeps dying people heavily medicated; all they focus on is the physical process of dying.
Hospice pain management is highly specialized and tailored to each individual, to ensure the highest quality of life possible to live each day until the end. In addition, hospice utilizes complementary therapies such as music and art, and provides emotional and spiritual support to the dying person and the loved ones, including bereavement support for the family after the death.
7. My wifes doctor suggested hospice; that must mean that my partner has only a few days left to live.
Hospice care is available to anyone who has a life-threatening or terminal illness, that has a prognosis of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. Patients can remain in hospice longer than six months if necessary.
8. My son is dying of AIDS, and I want the most compassionate care possible for him. But someone told me hospice care is only for older people with cancer.
Hospice programs have developed guidelines to care for anyone, at any age, facing a life-threatening or terminal illness.
9. 9. My grandfather doesnt have private insurance, so he wont be able to afford good
end-of-life care when he needs it.
Hospice is fully covered by Medicare, by Medicaid, and by most HMOs and insurance companies.
10. 10. Hospice care is provided by the Government that is why it is paid for by Medicare and Medicaid.
More than 4,100 private, public and non-profit hospice programs serve all regions of the US. This is a very important family decision; take the time to talk to several hospice agencies in your area so that you select the most appropriate provider.
This article was submitted by Mountain Valley Health Care. They can be reached at
970-346-9700 or visit www.mountainvalleyhealth.com.
Author: MountainValley
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