10 Facts You May Not Know About Hospice

Often times, families do not see hospice care as an option for their loved one who is seriously ill. This is because many people do not want to send their loved one to a facility, they do not want to lose control of care, and most importantly, they feel as though resorting to hospice care is giving up. However, there are many misconceptions about hospice care. Many people do not know that two-thirds of hospice care takes place in the person’s home, the person still receives care, and about 42% of all those who died in 2011 died in hospice.

Here are 10 important facts about hospice you should know:

  • Hospice is a philosophy of care, not a brick-and-mortar location.
  • Signing up doesn’t mean giving up all medical care.
  • You have to qualify for hospice, but you can opt out at any time.
  • If you start hospice and realize it’s not for you, you can quit.
  • You may live longer during the time you have left.
  • You can still see your regular doctor.
  • The goal of pain management in hospice is to enable you to live well – not sedate you.
  • Hospice can enrich, and sometimes salvage, the last stage of life.
  • Hospice is for the entire family.
  • Hospice continues after death.

Before you say “no” to hospice care, become familiar with the facts and its benefits. For more details on these facts, click here.

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