Wednesday, November 7, 2001

Hospice Myths

By Janet McGregor

There are many myths or erroneous beliefs regarding hospice. The number one myth is that hospice is a place. Hospice takes place wherever there is a need, typically in the patient's home.

Hospice includes medical care with a strong emphasis on pain management and symptom relief. The emotional, social, financial and spiritual needs of patients and their families and friends are also an integral part of the support offered with hospice care.

Another myth believed by many is that hospice is only for those with cancer. Roughly 20 percent of hospice patients in the United States have been diagnosed with illnesses other than cancer, such as emphysema, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, kidney failure, cardiovascular and neuromuscular diseases like Lou Gehrig's disease. A growing number of patients suffer from HIV/AIDS.

Some believe that hospice is only for those who have accepted their death. Hospice caregivers are adept at gently helping individuals some to terms with their death at their own speed, in their own way.

According to Portsbridge administrator Mary Jo Wilson, "We go out of our way to help people live until they die. We know how to help and support the patient through the process. We empower people and give them the knowledge to be able to make choices about their care."

A common myth is the belief that hospice is for people who do not need a high level of medical care. In fact, the majority of hospices are Medicare-certified which requires that they have experienced medical and nursing personnel.

Hospice care is not expensive as many believe. Most people who use hospice are entitled to Medicare hospice benefits or the care is covered by private insurance. Some hospices are 100 percent nonprofit and offer their services at no charge, while others accept insurance and do not require a deductible. Many, such as Portsbridge, state they will not turn a patient away even if he or she is unable to pay.

Another popular misconception is that hospice is only for the elderly. While the majority of hospice patients are older, hospice is for those of all ages. In 1996 Southwest Christian Hospice in south Fulton expanded its scope of service to include children with life-threatening diseases and those with severe disabilities. In the spring of this year ground was broken on a new 12-bed wing addition to be called "Hope House" which will serve the needs of children exclusively.

Hospice is not crisis care or crisis intervention. Hospice patients are usually referred by their doctors once they have been diagnosed with a life limiting illness. A team of caregivers including nurses, physicians, social workers, spiritual advisors, counselors and volunteers works with the patient and their families to develop individualized care plans designed to ease physical and emotional pain.

The word "hospice" comes from the Latin root "hospes," from which our English words, "hospital," "hospitality," and "hotel" is derived. The spirit of the word "hospice" is reflected in the Latin root word that means both "host" and "guest."

The first hospice was established in the United States in New Haven, Conn., in 1974.

Most medical treatments needed to make a terminally ill patient physically comfortable can be provided in the home.

There are over 2,300 hospices in the United States hospice providers are dedicated to the notion that the end of life is one of life's stages and that it should be lived fully and peacefully with the support of friends and family.

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