Hospice is a specialized level of care for those with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Many people are confused by the different things they’ve heard and may be unsure if hospice care is right for them or their loved one. Here are some of the common hospice myths, along with the facts.
Becoming a hospice patient means giving up hope.
Hospice is about quality of life and hope preservation. Our goal at Aligned Hospice is to help patients live each day to the fullest, with a focus on comfort and dignity.
Suffering is a part of hospice care because traditional medicine is no longer allowed.
Hospice takes a holistic approach to minimize suffering. We use medications to address the physical aspects of pain and suffering. We also focus on the psychological and spiritual aspects of suffering by offering social workers and chaplains who are experts at counseling patients and their families during this difficult time.
Hospice is a place
Hospice care is typically provided in the home setting. That might look like your personal home, a skilled nursing or assisted living facility, or a board and care. Our team is happy to provide care to you wherever you call home.
Hospice care is only for cancer patients.
Hospice care is for any patient with a terminal illness that is ready to focus on comfort and quality of life. Some common diagnoses of a patient on hospice care include; COPD, end stage heart failure, Alzheimer's disease, ALS, renal failure, HIV/AIDs, and liver failure.
The Medicare hospice benefit covers only six month of care.
The Medicare hospice benefit covers the care of a hospice patient for as long as the patient remains eligible.
Only a doctor can refer a patient for hospice care.
Actually, anyone can refer a patient for hospice care. The information will be taken and the patients doctor will be contacted to gain permission to assess the patient for eligibility.
If you choose hospice care you can never see your family physician again.
Your family physician becomes a member of the patient care team and is regularly informed of the patient’s condition. Our team will collaborate with any of your existing clinicians to ensure seamless continuity of care.
I cannot afford hospice care.
Most individuals who have Medicare have the Hospice Medicare Benefit, and most private insurances now have a hospice benefit. In fact, care is provided regardless of one’s inability to pay. With the Medicare or private insurance benefit, all hospice services are provided, and all medications, equipment and supplies related to the patient’s terminal illness are covered.
