Hospice Myths and Truths
Common hospice myths keep many patients and their families from receiving the full support of hospice care. Entering hospice early has many benefits including symptom management, pain relief, medical stabilization and comprehensive support for patients and their families.
Myth: Hospice is only available for patients with days or weeks to live.
Truth: Anyone with a life expectancy of six months or less may begin hospice care. Patients who live longer than six months may continue to be eligible.
Myth: Hospice is only for cancer patients.
Truth: Patients with any life-limiting illness or terminal diagnosis can benefit from hospice services.
Myth: Hospice care is expensive.
Truth: Hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurers.
Myth: Hospice means only physical care.
Truth: Hospice care also includes social, emotional and spiritual support for patients and their loved ones—including access to additional community resources.
Myth: Hospice means “giving up.”
Truth: Hospice means shifting to a focus on quality of life for patients and their loved ones.
Myth: Patients must be hospitalized to receive hospice.
Truth: Hospice is not a place, it is a service. Hospice care can be provided wherever patients call home including assisted living facilities, nursing homes and private residences.
Myth: You must give up your primary doctor to begin hospice.
Truth: You may continue to see your primary doctor for a long as you would like; hospice works in partnership with primary care physicians.
Myth: All of your medical decisions must be made before beginning hospice.
Truth: You still may determine or adjust your care goals while in hospice.
