Hospice Myths and Facts

Hospice is more than healthcare: it helps individuals and their loved ones during their time of need. Providing care--physical, emotional, and spiritual--gives us an opportunity to support one another when it matters most. Understanding the role hospice plays can help dispel myths and ease concerns that sometimes surround the idea of hospice care. Common misunderstandings about hospice care sometimes prevent people from getting the care they need.

Myth #1: Hospice is only for the final few days of life.

Fact: A prognosis of six months or less of life expectancy qualifies a person for hospice care. Unfortunately, many people wait until they are very close to dying to accept hospice services. This is often done out of fear or misunderstanding about the care that hospice provides.

Myth #2: Once a person is on hospice care, they can never stop.

Fact: A person can leave hospice care at any time of their choosing. Some people even have significant enough improvement in health under hospice that they can "graduate" from the service.

Myth #3: I have to leave my home to receive hospice care.

Fact: Hospice is a service, not a place. Most people receive care wherever they call home.

Myth #4: People die faster on hospice care.

Fact: Hospice provides symptom relief and pain management, but nothing is done to hasten death. Patients continue to receive medical care (comfort care, not curative care) and emotional and spiritual support to address the many non-medical needs that accompany end of life.

Myth #5: Hospice services are very limited.

Fact: In addition to managing pain and physical needs, hospice offers holistic support addressing emotional, social, and spiritual elements. These services are tailored to each patient and their loved ones. Hospice also provides medications and medical equipment, caregiver support, and grief support to patient and family. Hospice is a Medicare benefit and services are typically provided at no cost to the patient.

Myth #6: I have to give up all medical treatments if I go on hospice.

Fact: Hospice means you no longer seek curative care for your qualifying illness. Other medical conditions and needs can still be treated.

If you have questions about the role hospice care can play in your life, please reach out to us. We are open 24 hours a day, and our phones are always answered by a real person.