Myths and Truths About Hospice Care
By Barbara Miller, RN
There are many myths surrounding one's option to elect Hospice Care and Services. Hospice care is appropriate when a diagnosis of a life ending disease is made, when there are no further treatment options available for a "cure"; and when in the best medical judgment this disease will follow a natural course with the life expectancy not likely to exceed 6 months. Here are a few of the most common questions.
Who can refer to Hospice?
Referrals come from many sources: the physician, family members, care givers and even the patient. Anyone can refer. Contact is made to the attending physician for the terminal diagnosis.
What is the cost?
Hospice Programs accept Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and self pay. Avow Hospice in Collier County is a non profit organization that turns no one away regardless of their ability to pay for services. Everyone that has Medicare has the hospice benefit already built in; using the hospice Medicare benefit does not affect your regular Medicare benefits.
Is Hospice only for patients with cancer?
Hospice care is available and appropriate for anyone, of any age, who has been diagnosed with any terminal disease and not expected to survive more than 6 months.
Can my own Doctor still be my doctor if I use Hospice?
The referring physician is given the choice as to the degree of participation with the care. Some prefer to remain the primary physician; many remain the primary but want the Hospice physician to assume the pain and symptom management for the patient and a few physicians elect to have the Hospice physician manage the entire case.
Can I stay in my own home?
Most people want to stay in their own homes and every effort is made to accomplish that. Some patients decide when the end is near, not to stay at home but to come to a Hospice Care for end of life care.
Does Hospice shorten life?
Hospice care does nothing to either hasten death or prolong life. In many instances when the right pain medication in the right doses are given the patients can get relief from the pain and begin to relax, allowing nature to take its course.
The patient determines the level of pain which can be tolerated.
Please call Barbara if you have any questions regarding Hospice Care @ 239 434-8557.
