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Myths About Hospice Care
Community Care Hospice ~ It’s about Dignity, Comfort and Peace.
There are many misconceptions, or “myths,” concerning hospice care. Here we will discuss some of the most common misconceptions and hopefully clarify whether hospice care may be the appropriate care for your family member or yourself.
Myth: Hospice is a “place.” Hospice care is not a place, but is a concept, a type of care directed toward helping an individual and his/her family to focus on comfort in dealing with a disease during its final stages. Hospice care is directed toward meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the individual and supporting the caregivers throughout this challenging time. Community Care Hospice provides care and support in an individual’s own home, and well as in assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
Myth: Hospice care is only for individuals with cancer. Hospice care is appropriate for individuals who have any life-limiting disease where the life expectancy is 6 months or less. Individuals may benefit from hospice care if they have other diseases such as end stage Congestive Heart Failure, end stage Alzheimer’s Disease, or any other disease in which cure is no longer an option and the disease is progressing.
Myth: Hospice care is not covered by health insurance. Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurances have a benefit for hospice services. Community Care Hospice is in network with many insurance companies and can help to answer your questions about insurance coverage. For individuals without insurance coverage, a sliding scale fee or other assistance may be utilized to help provide hospice care.
Myth: My doctor will no longer be involved in my care. Community Care Hospice will work closely with your own physician in planning and providing care. In addition, the Hospice Medical Director is available to share his expertise in hospice care and support.
Myth: Hospice is about “giving up.” Thinking about hospice care means choosing to take an honest look at your illness and seriously contemplating the choices that may be available to you. It means considering whether you want or need help as you move along a path that leads toward the end of life, rather than toward the return of good health. Hospice care is provided by dedicated physicians, nurses, chaplains, social workers, hospice aides and volunteers who are knowledgeable, compassionate and dedicated to helping you and your family along this path. These individuals can help you to manage your pain or other issues with the goal of making you as comfortable as possible. They are also there for you as you address the emotional and spiritual issues that may be of the utmost importance to you and your family at this time. The goal of hospice care is to take away the sense of fear, uncertainty and loss of control that so many experience at this time of life and to replace it with a sense of understanding, expert management of physical needs and compassionate support of you and your family.
If you, a family member or friend need hospice care or want more information, please contact our Community Care Hospice. You may call the Hospice Manager at 908-725-9355, ext 2210.
Community Care Hospice ~ It’s about Dignity, Comfort and Peace.
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