Hospice care is a type of healthcare extended to people who are sick or terminally ill. It prioritizes the comfort of patients, attending to their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. While doctors frequently recommend hospice care to those who have a prognosis of life expectancy of six months or less, research shows that patients in hospice care tend to live longer than those who don’t.
If you are considering palliative care for any of your loved ones, this guide will walk you through the common myths about hospice and debunk them to put all your worries to rest.
Myth #1: Hospice Care is For People Who Are Going to Die
People shy away from hospice due to this common but gross misconception. Let’s get this clear: hospice care is NOT about dying!
In fact, it is a set of services that will allow patients to live easily and comfortably and perhaps even extend their life expectancy. A study showed that the mean survival for hospice patients was 29 days longer than for non-hospice patients. This negates the very association between hospice and death.
Myth #2: Hospice Care is Too Expensive
The truth is that hospice care is much less costly than hospital care, due to which you will find many policies that cover this type of palliative care. In fact, hospice services are designed in a way to exert minimal financial pressure on the patient.
Medicare is the largest American program that offers coverage to citizens 65 and older looking to accept hospice. Most plans you’ll find will cover medications, supplies, and visits without incurring any out-of-pocket expenses for the patient and their family.
Myth #3: Hospice is a Place or Facility
Another comforting truth about hospice is that it’s not a specific place, it’s a philosophy. Hospice services strive to provide wholesome care to the patient wherever they are most comfortable, be it their very own residence, a hospital, or a facility. At Light Heart Memory Care we bring hospice into our homes to add that extra care that is needed.
The aim isn’t to shift patients to a far-off place but to make their life as easy and comfortable as possible, focusing on pain and stress management to further physical and physiological healing. Hospice care patients tend to exhibit lower levels of anxiety, making their recovery more tangible.
Myth #4: Hospice is Only for Cancer Patients
Hospice services are available for anyone who wants their terminally ill loved ones to enjoy a better quality of life, igniting the hope of recovery. After all, hospice care lowers stress, which naturally improves the healing process.
However, hospice is not just limited to cancer patients. In fact, cancer patients occupy just 37% of hospice care, while others include people dealing with heart disease, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s disease, and others.
Myth #5: Hospice Care Confines You
Hospice isn’t meant to be a place where you live until your time comes. They are services that aim to improve the quality of your life, especially when you need emotional support to deal with a life-threatening disease. If your condition improves at any time, you can withdraw from hospice care and pursue curative treatment once again.
Final Word
The skewed idea of hospice care has kept many patients from receiving the care and support that they deserve when they are already dealing with the stress of a serious disease. Let the truth about hospice allow you to make better and more informed decisions for yourself and the people you love.
In honor of our founder Pat Mack, we are carrying on the tradition of caring for our residents
in "The Light Heart Way" Light Heart Memory Care homes are specially designed for 8 residents. This gives us the ability to give personalized care to each and every resident. Contact us to learn more about Light Heart Memory Care, or book a free consultation.
Phone: 281.282.0770
Email: office@lightheartmemorycare.com