Being in Hospice feels like they’ve lost the battle. They’d rather be in denial. This feeling of denial often keeps people from getting the best care possible, when they need it So many of my clients have fought bringing in Hospice for their care. Why? They are fighters. most. Hospice is high-quality care that focuses on comfort and quality of life. It is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans. Last year millions of dying Americans were cared for by hospice. Yet, there are some important facts about hospice many people still do not know.
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, in April of 2013 compiled and wrote these ten facts about hospice that everyone needs to know:
- Hospice is not a place—it’s high-quality care that focuses on comfort and quality of life.
- Hospice is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans. Fear of costs should never prevent a person from accessing hospice care.
- Hospice serves anyone with a life-limiting illness, regardless of age or type of illness.
- Hospice provides expert medical care as well as spiritual and emotional support to patients and families.
- Research has shown that many Americans would prefer to be at home at the end of life—hospice makes this possible for most people.
- Hospice serves people living in nursing homes and Assisted Living facilities.
- Hospice patients and families can receive care for six months or longer.
- A person may keep his or her referring physician involved while receiving hospice care.
- Hospice offers grief and bereavement services to family members to help them adjust to the loss in their lives.
- Research has shown people receiving hospice care can live longer than similar patients who do not opt for hospice.
If this information about hospice surprises you, take the time to find out more. The best time to learn about hospice is before you or someone in your family is facing a medical crisis.