5 Common Misconceptions about Hospice

5 Common Misconceptions about Hospice

Hospice agencies provide a multitude of services for patients and families.

The hospice care team works together to educate patients, families, and the community about their services, but there are still several misconceptions that people have about hospice.

In this post, 5 common misconceptions about hospice will be explored.

Hospice is only for the elderly

When people picture a hospice patient, they usually picture an old man or woman who has lived a long life and has now reached the end of life.

However, hospice services are not just for elderly people. Hospice services provide care to patients of all ages.

The unfortunate truth is that there are pediatric hospice agencies who care for infants and children. Hospice agencies also care for those in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond.

The most important criteria for admission to hospice is that a patient has been given a prognosis of less than 6 months to live due to a terminal illness or condition.

So, it doesn’t matter what age they are whenever they receive their prognosis.

Hospice means the patient and family have given up hope

Hospice services aim to provide comfort and symptom management during the last months of an individual’s life.

The care that the patient receives allows the patient to have a higher quality of living during the last part of their life. This means that the patient can spend this precious time with their loved ones engaging in activities that bring them joy.

In fact, instead of seeing it as “giving up” it can be seen as “giving in”. Giving in to enjoying the last moments here on Earth- whether it’s weeks or months. Giving in to being free from unnecessary treatments, unnecessary hospitalizations, and unnecessary doctor’s visits.

Hospice is only for cancer patients

Hospice services care for individuals who have a variety of conditions and illnesses. While a lot of hospice patients do have cancer, patients are also admitted with many of the following conditions:

• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Lung disease
• Dementia
• Parkinson’s
• Alzheimer’s

The hospice care team is committed to providing high quality to the patient and family regardless of the patient’s condition.

Hospice requires for patients to have a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

While some patients may choose to have a DNR due to their personal preference, it is not required for hospice patients to have a DNR.

Patients and families are educated on the poor outcomes that are likely if a patient were to have to be resuscitated, but it is ultimately the patient’s decision to decide.

However, some hospice inpatient centers may require that the patient be a DNR to be admitted to the facility. This is due to the fact that the facilities do not keep the necessary materials (such as a crash cart) at their facility.

Hospice is only for the last few days of life

Ideally, hospice services should be initiated as soon as a prognosis of less than 6 months to live has been given by the doctor.

The patients who are admitted to services earlier actually have the best outcomes.

Many patients will go on to live past the initial 6-month prognosis. Some patients have reported to be on hospice services for years.

Did you believe any of these misconceptions before you read this post?

Leave a comment about any other misconceptions about hospice you may have heard or believed in the past.