Misconception #1 – “Hospice is a place where people go to die”.
Hospice isn’t really about dying. Hospice is about life; some of the most important moments in life. Hospice is not about adding days to someone’s life. Hospice is about adding life, quality of life, to someone’s final days, weeks, or months.
Misconception # 2 “Hospice is the absence or withdrawal of medical care”. People who choose hospice receive medical care to control pain and other symptoms. Medical care continues with a holistic approach, honoring the wishes of the individual and explaining choices. All medical care is managed whether related to the hospice diagnosis or not.
Misconception #3 “Choosing hospice means you are going to die faster”. On the contrary, because the goal of hospice is to achieve the highest quality of life possible, a person’s life may be extended beyond expectations.
Misconception #4 “Choosing hospice means defeat or giving up”. Choosing hospice does not mean a death sentence. What hospice does mean is a total change of focus. It means the patient is in control; making choices about what is most important in life.
