Why Not Hospice?

Because many misconceptions about hospice exist, as well as a general lack of awareness of its benefits and services, many patients fail to enter hospice at all, which leads to the underutilization of this specialized form of medical care.

Common misconceptions that stop people from referring themselves or a loved one to hospice include:

Hospice care is seen as giving up: Many people feel that hospice care is only about death and preparing to die. This belief causes many people to feel scared about hospice, as though it is a place where people are simply "waiting to die" rather than receiving palliative care to improve their quality of life.
Hospice is for people whose death is hours or days away: Hospice care can be accessed up to six months before a person is expected to die. Many hospices also provide opportunities for extended care. Also, research shows that hospice patients tend to live longer than patients with similar conditions who do not receive hospice care.1
Once a person enters hospice care, they cannot leave: Hospice care is entirely at will. If a patient decides that they no longer wish to receive hospice care, they are free to leave without penalty. Should they decide to re-admit themselves to hospice, re-enrollment is typically permitted so long as they are still medically eligible.
Hospice requires a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order: The goal of hospice is to provide patients with the comfort and care they need to experience a peaceful death. A DNR is the patient's decision. Even if you do not sign one, you can still receive hospice care.
Hospice care is only for the elderly: Hospice care is available for any person of any age who has received a prognosis of six months or less to live.

Summary
The pros and cons of entering hospice can vary for you or a loved one depending on your unique needs and/or situation. When considering hospice, keep in mind that hospice does not include treatments aimed at curing an illness or prolonging life. The focus of hospice care is to provide pain and symptom management, allowing patients to experience a comfortable, peaceful death.

Why Not Hospice?

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