What do you think of when you hear the word hospice? It evokes a certain reaction, doesn’t it?

As humans, we have a natural reluctance to think about the eventual need for these services, yet it’s inevitable. So we build walls and put the thoughts aside until they are thrust upon us in a moment of need.

We’ve built up misconceptions about what hospice is – and what it isn’t – and in many cases, it prevents us from seeking out the critical support hospice provides when it can do us the most good. Hospice benefits in many different ways. Hospice can be an important part of the journey your loved one is taking and provide the critical care that will benefit all of you.

Myth #1 Hospice is a place

Hospice, hospital, assisted care, nursing home – what does it all mean? It’s easy to get lost in the words and concepts when your world suddenly changes. Unlike physical healthcare units like hospitals and nursing homes, hospice is not a structure or a place. Instead, hospice is a comprehensive, patient/family centered care that offers compassion and medical care in the advanced stages of illness. It provides multidimensional pain and symptom management as well as emotional, spiritual, and practical support to those in need. It can be offered anywhere a patient and family chooses, including a personal residence, a long term care facility, or a hospital. It’s all about the patient. [Read more…]