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Myths and Facts about Hospice:

Myth: The person who is ill must be close to death in order to be admitted to Hospice Care.
Fact: Persons with an illness, who have a life expectancy of approximately six months or less, are appropriate for Hospice Care. Because hospice provides not only physical care but also addresses emotional and spiritual care, staff can be most helpful to persons who are ill and their families when there is time to assess individual needs and establish a mutual trusting relationship.

Myth: Hospice Care only cares for persons with cancer.
Fact: Hospice Care is appropriate for persons with any life-limiting illness when the primary goal of care is to maintain comfort, manage symptoms and help the individual remain as active as possible.

Myth: Hospice Care patients cannot be hospitalized.
Fact: The majority of persons receiving care from Hospice Care wish to avoid hospitalization as much as possible. Staff are experienced at managing the symptoms and problems that would normally require hospitalization. However, if hospitalization is necessary for the management of symptoms, it can be arranged without discontinuing Hospice Care services. Many patients who experience pain or symptoms that cannot be managed in the home are admitted to a hospital.

Myth: The patient’s personal physician can no longer be involved after admission to a Hospice Care program.
Fact: A patient’s own physician remains the primary physician. Hospice Care works closely with the primary physician to ensure that individuals get the best care possible.

Myth: Hospice Care will “take over.”
Fact: Hospice Care is a team effort. The person receiving the care and his/her family lead the team by defining their individual needs.

Myth: Hospice Care patients cannot receive treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, blood transfusions.
Fact: Hospice Care accepts persons who are receiving—or may receive—these types of treatments if the patient’s life expectancy remains approximately six months or less and the goal of care is no longer cure.

Myth: Hospice Care provides around-the-clock nursing care.
Fact: Hospice Care provides regular in-home nursing visits and assistance with personal care. There is also 24-hour access to a nurse and a social worker for information, support and problem-solving, either over the phone or by a home visit.

Myth: Hospice Care is limited to a maximum of six months.
Fact: There is no limit to the length of Hospice Care services provided the patient meets the criteria of a life expectancy of approximately six months or less. If a patient’s disease stabilizes and no longer progresses, a patient may be discharged from Hospice Care. The patient may be readmitted if the life expectancy meets the six-month criteria.

Myth: Hospice Care focuses on the acceptance of death.
Fact: Hospice Care recognizes that we all have different and unique goals, beliefs and coping strategies. Hospice Care does not force discussions about the acceptance of death, but staff remain available to discuss any issues important to patients and their families.

Hospice care, provides humane and compassionate care for people in the last phases of an incurable disease so that they may live as fully and comfortably as possible.

I don't know what I would have done with out Hospice. I found out about them accidentally at the hospital when my father in law had pneumonia and I would not listen to the doctors and put him in a nursing home. The support from them was wonderful. The nurse came over once a week and an aid came over on the two days I worked to bath dad. They did at one time tell me that they thought he was doing better and they were going to take him off. But the nurse said she talked her supervisor out of that idea and I was so glad that she had come to know us because it was just a few weeks after that when he died. I know it sounds kinda scary but it is one of the best things you can do as your loved one gets close to the end stage of Alzheimer's.

Remember life is such a gift and family is so important. Treat people, especially your family, the way you want to be treated.

Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com