KNOW THE TRUTH.

HOSPICE MYTHS

Read on to find the truth behind hospice care. We want our patients and their families to differentiate between what's fact versus fiction. If you still have further inquiries, feel free to contact us for further information.

MYTH NO. 1:HOSPICE CARE REQUIRES YOU TO STOP TAKING MEDICATIONS.

This isn't always the case. People fear hospice because they believe that it will accelerate death. Even though hospice focuses on relief-based care rather than a curative approach, the decision to cease medication is more likely left up to the patient.

Depending on how advanced the disease progresses, it may be best to stop receiving medication if that's the source of discomfort such as cancer and chemotherapy; a patient may want to move towards a treatment that's much more comfortable.

MYTH NO. 2: HOSPICE CARE HAS A TIME LIMIT.

Many people mistakenly believe that to receive hospice care, the patient must be expected to live less than six months. If after six months; however, a patient is still in need of hospice services, patients can receive an unlimited amount of 60-day benefit periods if a hospice director or doctor re-certifies that you're terminally ill.

Also, if a patient outlives the six-month Medicare estimation, they can be discharged from hospice care and come bak when they need it. In some cases, most patients tend to get better with a reduction of stress from the hospice services.

MYTH NO. 3: A PHYSICIAN MUST REFER HOSPICE CARE.

This is never the case. A patient chooses hospice if they see fit. Patients can contact their local hospice provider or ask their physician for more information.

MYTH NO. 4: ONCE ENROLLED IN HOSPICE CARE, THERE'S NO TURNING BACK.

This is absolutely untrue. Patients have the right to cease hospice treatment at any time they wish.

A patient can opt out of hospice for any reason. If there are vital signs of recovery, a hospice professional can discharge the patient.

MYTH NO. 5: HOSPICE CARE IS ONLY FOR THE ELDERLY.

Hospice care serves anyone facing a life-limiting illness, regardless of age, including infants and children.

MYTH NO. 6: HOSPICE CARE BEGINS WHEN YOU'RE CLOSE TO DYING.

Hospice care begins at the time of diagnosis or acute phase of the terminal illness and extends beyond the patient's death to include bereavement care and grief support for the family.

Here Hospice of Metropolitan Erie, we will always be open to anyone in the community regarding a hospice loss or not.

MYTH NO. 7: HOSPICE IS WHERE YOU GO WHEN THERE IS NOTHING MORE A DOCTOR CAN DO.

Hospice is not a place, but a philosophy of care providing medical, emotional and spiritual care focusing on comfort and quality of life.

At Hospice of Metropolitan Erie, our philosophy is that hospice is care on the patient's terms. "We cannot change the outcome, but we can affect the journey."

MYTH NO. 8: CHOOSING HOSPICE MEANS GIVING UP HOPE.

This is and will never be the case. At Hospice Metropolitan Erie, our patients who choose hospice care are choosing dignity, support and comfort. The hope of living each day to the fullest becomes our primary focus.