Hospice Myths
Introduction: 9 Hospice Myths and Misconceptions
Statements like “Hospice is like abandoning on life.”
“Hospice is for the rich clan of the society.” are the cordially welcoming myths of hospice care. You must have heard someone say these statements to you, or you shared with these to people. But these statements are nothing but myths about hospice care.
If you have spread the improper news, then the right one is that- hospice is for the patients and their family members. It provides care, support, and comfort clubbed into one.
So, for now, pay no attention to any myths about hospice care. And, just so know for a fact that the whole focus of hospice is to provide the highest form of quality of life in the emotional, spiritual, and physical spheres.
According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization report, about 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled at least one day in hospice back in the year 2017.
Let us understand the nine common hospice myths and help dispel the stigma around its globe:
1.Once You Get In, You Cannot Get Out.
Most people think hospice care is like life imprisonment.
It is not so.
Patients can leave any time they want.
If a significant improvement in the patient- status results, they can opt for curative treatment. The doors of hospice care will remain open for patients who want to reapply. Hospice myths misconceptions also include the mention of DNR- Do Not Resuscitate. There is no DNR order that you need to sign when you enter hospice care.
2. Your Family Member Doesn’t Control Your Hospice Care.
One of the most common myths of hospice care facility is the family members having no control over the patient’s hospice care. Right from the minute, the patient enters the hospice care facility. Until the end of the patient, the family has access to support services, grief counseling, social services, spiritual guidance, and many more. Such common hospice myths usually passed under the rug.
3. Only Cancer Patients Get Hospice Care
Back in the year 1970, when hospice care came into existence in the USA, it was only for cancer patients. But it is not so anymore. This myth yet becomes one of the most popular hospice myths misconceptions. Many patients who go for hospice care have cancer. But a majority of them have life-limiting diseases like end-stage heart/liver/kidney/lung disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and the like.
4. Another Name For Hospice Care Is A Nursing Home.
The best way to know the hospice myths and realities is by visiting a hospice care center. It is not a nursing home. It offers a multi-disciplinary approach to provide support, care, comfort to the patients. Services under hospice care include medical directors, nursing staff, counselors, social workers, spiritual counselors, therapists, dieticians, home health aides, and bereavement counselors. All these services work with both the patients as well as their respective families.
5. Hospice Care Is Exclusively For The Elderly.
There are too many hospice care myths and facts, but this is the commonest. Hospice service has no age barrier. There are services for infants and children.
A terminal illness can wound up at any time in your life.
To correct many myths about hospice care- it is for any person suffering from an end-stage disease/disorder. Also, it is not just for the people grieving from the end stages of the disease.
6. Only Doctors Can Refer You To Hospice Care.
There is a vast difference between hospice myths and realities.
A myth is that only doctors can bring up a patient to hospice care.
The reality is anybody can bring up a patient to hospice care.
It could be your close friend, family member, clergyman, nurse, or anybody else.
Anyone who knows about the tremendous benefits of hospice care to a patient’s spiritual, physical, and mental well-being can refer to it.
7. Hospice Care Is For Patients Who Have A Few Days To Live.
One of the common hospice myths is that it is for the patients who have only a few days, weeks, or months to live. It is also not for people who have lost faith in their lives. A hospice care facility is a place where the patient’s quality of life improves.
He/she makes spiritual connections.
It helps patients and their families during a medical crisis.
Patients get enough time to recoup to their original state.
But that doesn’t mean it is for people who have given up on their lives.
8. Hospice Means Palliative Treatment.
The word meaning of hospice is a guest house or hospitality. It doesn’t mean palliative treatment. Here are some hospice myths and facts- Both treatments provide comfort and care to the patients during serious illnesses. The reason for both the treatments differ. When it comes to palliative treatment, it begins at the diagnosis and during the treatment period. Hospice care starts when the management of a lethal disease comes to an end. It is also for the people who suffer from terminal illnesses and when their survival is not sure. Knowing hospice myths and misconceptions is not enough. You need to also learn about ten myths about palliative care.
9. Disabled Individuals Cannot Receive Hospice Care.
One of the common hospice myths is this one. Disabled individuals or individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities suffer from the same illnesses and conditions compared to the general population. So, like the general population receives hospice care, disabled individuals can, too, get it. Be it in their house, group home, or in the hospice care facility. They can make decisions for themselves when it comes to end-of-life care.
CONCLUSION
We hope the pointers mentioned above clear the myths of hospice care. We live in an era where myth is a fact.
And, fact is a myth. Such hallmarks can help you differentiate between hospice myths and facts. Now that everything is digital, you can concentrate on virtual hospice. At the virtual hospice, you will find caregiving videos. Such videos can let you know how a hospice care facility on the inside works.
SAHARA HOSPICE CARE
140 Eldridge Rd Suite B 1, Sugar Land, TX 77498
Phone: (281) 313-0085
https://saharahospicecare.com//