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Hospice-Myths-Facts

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Myth: Hospice means giving up Hope.
Fact: When faced with a terminal illness, many patients and family members tend to dwell on the imminent loss of life rather than making the most of the life that remains. Hospice helps patients reclaim the spirit of life. It helps them understand that even though death can lead to sadness, anger and pain, it can also lead to opportunities for reminiscence, laughter, reunion and hope.

 
Myth: Hospice is just for the patient.
Fact: Hospice focuses on comfort, dignity and emotional support. The quality of life for the patient, and also family members and other caregivers, is the highest priority.

Myth: To be eligible for hospice care, a patient must already be bedridden.
Fact: Hospice care is appropriate at the time of the terminal prognosis, regardless of the patient's physical condition. Many of the patients served through hospice continued to lead productive and rewarding lives. Together, the patient, family and physician determine when hospice services should begin.

Myth: A Hospice patient can’t go to the hospital.
Fact: A patient receiving hospice services may go to the hospital. Although, the hospice should be notified prior to transport so that we can notify the hospital billing office of the correct way to submit the bill. This eliminates the possibility of losing the hospice benefit and allows the hospice to determine if hospitalization is related to the terminal illness. However, hospice care is directed toward maintaining the patient and keeping them comfortable in his or her usual living arrangement.

Myth:Hospice means that the patient will soon die.
Fact:Receiving hospice care does not mean giving up hope, or that death is imminent. The earlier an individual receives hospice care, the more opportunity there is to stabilize a patient's medical condition and support those who love and care for the patient.

Myth: You can't keep your own doctor if you enter hospice.
Fact:Hospice physicians work closely with your doctor of choice to develop a plan of care. If the patient does not have a primary care physician, hospice can provide medical services.
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