HOSPICE

There are many questions and myths about hospice. Below are answers to some the most commonly asked questions. The information below will help you to get a better understanding of what hospice care is and how it can benefit you, your family, and or caregivers.

What is hospice?
Is hospice only for people who are dying?
Who is best served by hospice?
Isn't hospice the same as "giving up"?
Should we wait for the doctor to suggest hospice?
When is the best time to start hospice?
Who pays for hospice ?
Once you start hospice, can you leave the program?
Is hospice a place?
Is hospice only for cancer patients?
Is hospice only for housebound or bed-ridden people?
Does hospice “dope people up” so they become addicted or sleep all the time?

WHAT IS HOSPICE?

One of the most common questions people have is “what is hospice care?” There is often confusion about what hospice care is and what it is not. Hospice is a philosophy of care. It treats the person rather than the disease and focuses on quality of life. It surrounds the patient and family with a team of professionals who not only address physical distress, but emotional and spiritual issues as well. Hospice care is patient-centered because the needs of the patient and family drive the activities of the hospice team. It is also important to make clear what hospice is not. Hospice is not hastening death. Instead it is about celebrating what time the patient has left, making them as comfortable as possible and supporting those family and caregivers.

IS HOSPICE ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DYING?

Hospice is for people who have a limited life expectancy. Hospice is for patients whose condition is such that a doctor would not be surprised if the patient died within the next six months. This doesn't mean the patient is going to die in the next six months--it simply means that he or she has a condition that makes dying a realistic possibility.

WHO IS BEST SERVED BY HOSPICE

Hospice patients are those with very serious medical conditions. Usually they have diseases that are life threatening and make day-to-day living very uncomfortable—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Some are in pain. Others experience difficult symptoms such as nausea, extreme fatigue, and/or shortness of breath. These symptoms may be caused by the disease, or they may have been caused by treatments intended to cure the disease.
Often patients turn to hospice because they are anxious or depressed, or they are feeling spiritually distressed because of their medical condition. Hospice specializes in easing pain, discomfort, and distress on all levels. The care provided by hospice is often helpful for conditions such as cancer, heart disease, COPD (emphysema) and advanced dementia. Seriously ill patients who have decided that their priority is to have the best quality of life possible are the people who are best suited for hospice.

To see if hospice is a good fit for you, your loved one, or your patient take a look at the hospice eligibility criteria.

ISN'T HOSPICE THE SAME AS GIVING UP?

Not at all! This is one of the most common questions about hospice but it is actually a misconception. Although your loved one's condition may have reached a point that a cure is not likely—or not worth the side effects of treatment—that does not mean there is nothing left to do. In fact, an emphasis on quality of life and easing pain and distress often allows the patient to spend his or her last months focusing on the things that are ultimately the most important and meaningful. As one man put it, "I'd rather spend my time with my children and grandchildren than waste my limited time and energy driving to the treatment center and recovering beside the toilet bowl."

With the expert guidance of a nurse and case manager, as well as the assistance of home health aides, social workers, and chaplains, patients and families find they can focus on their relationships, healing old wounds and building wonderful memories together. Hospice is far from giving up, it helps families live well and support each other during a stressful, yet very natural family life passage. Learn more about common hospice myths and misconceptions.

SHOULD YOU WAIT FOR THE DOCTOR TO SUGGEST HOSPICE?

You can, but doctors often wait too long or for families to bring it up. This is part of the reason that people often receive hospice care so late in the process. If you think your loved one and family might benefit from the support of weekly home visits from staff who specialize in pain control and the easing of distress, ask your doctor if hospice might be something to consider now, or in the near future.

If you are honest with yourself and believe your loved one could die in the next six to twelve months, ask the doctor if he or she agrees. If the answer is yes, then it's probably a good time to begin a discussion about hospice.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO START HOSPICE?

Most patients and families who receive hospice care say they wish they had known about it earlier because they needed the help much sooner. Research has shown that hospice can increase both the quality of life and how long a patient lives. Families who receive hospice near the very end–just a few days to a week–have a harder time adjusting during the bereavement period than do those whose loved one received hospice care for weeks and months before passing on. If you think your family and the person you care for could benefit from pain or symptom management, assistance with bathing and grooming, emotional and spiritual support, and telephone access to caregiving advice, ask your physician if you should consider hospice. Experts agree that at least two to three months of care is optimal. It is better to ask sooner so you do not regret having missed the support that hospice has to offer.

WHO PAYS FOR HOSPICE?

The question of “who pays for hospice care” is one that comes up frequently. In fact, most patients and family caregivers will ask about their financial options almost right away. This is understandable, as worrying about paying for hospice care is very common. Luckily, this worry is typically unfounded. Patients have several options when it comes to paying for the cost of hospice care. If the patient has Medicare and meets hospice eligibility requirements, then the government will pay as much as 100% of the cost. In such a case, there is no deductible and no copayment. Not only are the services of the hospice staff entirely covered, but medical supplies and prescriptions relating to pain and comfort management are also covered. Individuals who do not have Medicare coverage but have coverage from private insurance should talk with their insurance company to find out about eligibility and what deductibles and copayments may apply. Medicaid provides coverage, but it varies by state.

ONCE YOU START HOSPICE CAN YOU LEAVE THE PROGRAM?

A person may sign out of the hospice program for a variety of reasons, such as resuming aggressive curative treatment or pursuing experimental measures. Or, if a patient shows signs of recovery and no longer meets the 6 month guideline, he or she can be discharged from hospice care and return to the program when the illness has progressed at a later time.

IS HOSPICE A PLACE?

Hospice is not a place – it’s a service. Hospice brings physical, emotional, and spiritual care and support to wherever our patients call home.

IS HOSPICE ONLY FOR CANCER PATIENTS?

Hospice is not just for cancer patients. Crossroads Hospice cares for patients with any life-limiting illness. Among the illnesses are cardiac and respiratory diseases, renal disease, and neurological illness including Alzheimer’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, AIDS, Cirrhosis, and many others.

HOSPICE ONLY FOR BED-RIDDEN PEOPLE ?

Is Hospice is not only for those who are housebound or bedridden; most are living their day-to-day lives. Care is given wherever the patient lives: in their home, long-term care facilities, assisted living or retirement communities, rest homes and hospitals.

DOES HOSPICE DOPE PEOPLE UP SO THEY BECOME ADDICTED OR SLEEP ALL THE TIME?

When patients have a legitimate need for pain medication, they do not become addicted to it. Crossroads Hospice has the expertise to manage pain so that patients are comfortable yet alert and are able to enjoy each day to the fullest extent possible, given their medical condition. Click here to learn about other hospice misconceptions.