Misconceptions about hospice care can lead patients and families to delay seeking services that may provide comfort and support during serious illness.
For some, the word “hospice” is associated exclusively with the final days of life or with giving up treatment altogether. Hospice care, however, can begin earlier and may continue for months when a patient meets eligibility requirements.
Hospice generally focuses on comfort and quality of life for people with terminal illnesses rather than treatments intended to cure the underlying disease. Services can include symptom and pain management, nursing care and emotional, social and spiritual support.
One common misconception is that hospice is only appropriate during the final days of a person’s life. Depending on a patient’s condition and eligibility, services may begin well before that point. Earlier involvement can give patients and caregivers more time to receive support and assistance managing symptoms and other challenges.
Another misconception is that entering hospice means all medical care stops. Instead, the goals of care change. Treatment generally focuses on managing pain and other symptoms and maintaining comfort and quality of life.
Hospice care is typically provided by an interdisciplinary team that may include physicians, nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, volunteers and other professionals. Services may be provided in a patient’s home, nursing facility, assisted living community or other setting, depending on individual circumstances.
Patients and families may also struggle with the perception that choosing hospice means abandoning hope. For people facing terminal illness, goals often change as a disease progresses. Priorities may include controlling pain, spending meaningful time with family, remaining in familiar surroundings or receiving additional emotional and practical support.
Some hospice programs also provide complementary services such as music and massage therapy. Music therapy may be used to help with relaxation, anxiety, mood and communication, while massage therapy may be offered to promote relaxation and help alleviate discomfort.
Hospice providers may also offer programs tailored to particular populations. Veterans, for example, may have physical and emotional needs related to their military experiences. Specialized services can incorporate an understanding of military culture and experiences into their care.
Patients with dementia and other cognitive disorders can present different challenges. Hospice services for eligible patients may include symptom management along with education and support for family members and caregivers as cognitive and physical abilities decline.
The specific services provided through hospice vary based on the patient’s medical condition, needs, preferences and care setting. Care plans are generally developed individually and adjusted as a person’s condition changes.
Families considering hospice can discuss eligibility, available services and the appropriate timing for care with the patient’s physician, health care team or a hospice provider.
Understanding what hospice does — and does not — provide can help patients and families make informed decisions about care during advanced illness.
