Hospice Myth #2 - Patients can only receive hospice services for a limited time.

Of all the hospice myths out there, this is one of the myths that keeps people from calling for hospice care when they need it.  So many people are afraid they will "use up" their hospice benefit from their insurance or Medicare/Medicaid.  That's so sad because people should get the help they need, when they need it, no matter what!  

The truth is while the hospice guidelines do require the patient have a life expectancy of less than six months, insurance and Medicare/Medicaid will pay as long as the patient continues to meet the medical criteria for hospice care.  To translate for us non-medical types out there,  as long as the patient is not getting better (ie, not feeling so awesome that they decide to kick up their heels and headline the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular), they can keep receiving hospice care as long as they live. 

Bottom line: whether a patient lives six months, six weeks or six years after being admitted to hospice, they will be taken care of. 

And there is absolutely no reason to wait to seek hospice help when you need it.  It's totally free to call for a hospice assessment.  The nurse will come out and examine the patient.  If they aren't hospice appropriate, the hospice team won't admit, BUT they will tell you what kinds of things to look for in the future, AND we will also guide you as to the services and resources that are appropriate and available to you.  Everything clear as mud?  Good!  Glad I cleared that up! 

Hospice Myth #1 - Hospice is a place.

   Hospice is not a place, but it did start out that way!  The word hospice comes from the Latin word "hospitium" which means "guesthouse".  Long ago in days of yore, when travelers, weary and sick, were returning from pilgrimages to distant lands, they could find rest at a "hospice."  In the 1960's, the first modern hospices were formed.  Today, over 80% of hospice care is provided in the patient's home, family member's home or nursing home! 

   Hospice as we know it today is not a place, but rather, as defined by the Hospice Foundation of America, "A concept of care designed to provide comfort and support to patients and their families when a life-limiting illness no longer responds to cure-oriented treatment." 

   Hospice care neither prolongs life or hastens death.  It is all about making life the best it possibly can be for whatever legnth of time the patient has left.  And while most patients in hospice care are looking at six months or less, many patients stay on hospice for years and many more even get better and end up not needing it at all!  Hospice has a team of professionals that include a doctor, nurse, aide, chaplain, social worker and volunteers that work together to create and execute a plan of care which is designed to support both the patient and family members who take care of them.  Dealing with end stage illness is never easy, but hospice eases the process as much as is possible........Myth #1 - BUSTED!