Usually, when people hear the suggestion of hospice care for the first time, they show signs of anxiety and become frightened. The reason for this anxiousness is that they believe that their loved one will pass away sooner than their life expectancy since their curative treatment is stopped. This isn’t the only misconception that keeps people away from hospice care. There are all sorts of myths and misconceptions regarding hospice care believed by people.
These perceived barriers prevent people from accessing hospice care. In this post, we have discussed some of them. Continue reading to know more:
Hospice is a place/unit where patients go to die.
No, there is no truth in it. Hospice is not a place; it is a service or, rather, a combination of different services. It brings care to the patient’s home. Whether they stay in their residence or an assisted living facility, this care can be arranged there with the help of hospice experts.
In some instances, where managing this sort of care becomes a lot more complex for the specialist, they may recommend shifting the patient to a specialized hospice unit for their comfort and convenience.
Hospice is just taking care of the patient.
No, it isn’t. There is much more to hospice than caring for a patient who does not have long to live. Hospice care includes many professional services, including routine and after-hours visits by certified specialists and nurses. These specialists assess the patient’s condition thoroughly and manage medical supplies and medicines accordingly as the need arises. Furthermore, they arrange emergency medications so that the patient’s life can be saved in case of an emergency.
Hospice care also includes visits by volunteers who spend time with patients and prepare them to face reality. They can also help the patient with light housekeeping and assist them with toileting, meal preparation, etc. Some hospice centers also offer different types of therapies to their patients to help them feel better.
Another option is home health care. Home health care is a personalized service that brings medical and supportive care directly to a person’s home, allowing individuals to recover or manage chronic conditions in a familiar environment. It offers a range of services, from skilled nursing and physical therapy to assistance with daily activities like bathing and dressing. A program like a Philadelphia home care agency promotes independence, improves the quality of life, and can be a cost-effective alternative to long-term hospitalization or nursing home care. Plus, it provides family members peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are being cared for in the comfort of their own homes.
Hospice is just a waste of money.
It is another significant barrier that prevents patients near the end of their lives from obtaining the benefits of hospice. For this reason, not many people get hospice care, and those who do, get it in their final days of life; thus, it provides them with no significant benefit and wastes their money.
Hospice doesn’t cost much. Its charges are less than regular treatments, although they vary depending on the disease. In addition to that, most insurance companies provide coverage for hospice care. Thus, if you are getting this care from a provider/center that accepts insurance, you will be able to get it at far more reasonable rates.
Most patients anyway die in their homes. How is hospice different?
Many believe that most patients die in their own homes. Thus, there is no significant reason why one should opt for hospice care. While it is true, the reason why hospice is essential is because it improves the quality of life of the patient. Those who die in their homes spend their last few days/weeks in a rather miserable condition. The real benefit of hospice is that it helps them to feel better. They get to spend their last remaining time with their family in a painless, comfortable manner.
Moreover, there is a slight chance that the condition of the patient might improve as well. Improvement happens when their pain is reduced and they are no longer lonely. They tend to feel better about their health and condition.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of benefits associated with hospice care. Although non-curative in nature, it helps greatly to improve the patient’s remaining living days.