Myths and facts about
hospice
MYTH: Hospice
care is only intended for patients who are rapidly
approaching death.
FACT: An
early referral to our hospice program enables patients and
families to
fully benefit from The Chaplaincy’s Hospice support and
services.
"Early referrals to hospice show
improved quality of life."
MYTH: Hospice
cares only for patients diagnosed with cancer
FACT: Hospice care is for patients and their families
during any life-limiting
illness.
MYTH: Acceptance of hospice care means that a patient
can no longer see
his/her own physician.
FACT: Hospice
encourages the patient’s physician to follow the patient onto
the program
and
participate in his/her care plan.
MYTH: Hospice care is only for those with private
insurance.
FACT: Hospice
serves everyone, regardless of ability to pay. Hospice care
is covered
under
Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance
plans.
MYTH: Hospice
care is no different than Home Health.
FACT: Hospice
is different in that hospice staff are specially trained in
providing physical, emotional, spiritual care to patients
and their
families. Grief support is provided to families following their
loved
one’s death.
MYTH: Hospice patients must be homebound.
FACT: Patients
need not be homebound to receive hospice services.
Hospice helps
patients to be as active as possible. Our motto is
“live life to the fullest”.
MYTH: Hospice services stop when the patient dies.
FACT: Hospice
provides free grief support to families for a year or longer
after the
patient’s death.
MYTH: Hospice is a facility.
FACT: Hospice
care is provided wherever the patient may reside (i.e.,
home, skilled
nursing or assisted
living facility, hospital, hospice
in-patient unit) The
Chaplaincy’s philosophy supports
patients and
families wherever they reside.
