THERE ARE PLENTY OF FALSE RUMORS ABOUT WHAT GOES ON IN THE HOSPICE WORLD. 

I would like to take this opportunity to poke holes in all of the false claims and rumors that exist about hospice care and everything associated with hospice.

This will be fun! Follow me. 

I CHOOSE DEATH!

First off, we need to all understand that patients and families who choose hospice care rather than acute care are not choosing death.  They are, quite literally, choosing to live; To live with their ailments for as long as they can, as comfortably as they can. Sometimes putting up a fight against an illness isn’t what you want. Maybe you just want to go home and watch some Netflix with your cat.  That’s “purr”fectly fine and possible with hospice care. 

 WELCOME TO THE HOTEL CALIFORNIA

“You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave!”.  Hospice care isn’t a permanent decision.  Meaning, you can always change your mind.  If you decide you do want to fight your illness, you can call your doctor and he or she can get you switched over to some kind of acute care.  It is never too late to change your mind!

HOSPICE NURSES ARE MISERABLE PEOPLE

It is commonly believed that nurses that work in hospice care are among the most difficult nurses to work with.  This is not true at all, hospice nurses are THE most caring and friendly nurses in the world.  Nurses of Hospice, we salute you and thank you for everything that you do.  

HOSPICE CARE WILL BURY YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN DEBT

The best things in life are free.  Hospice care is no exception.  That’s right.  You heard me.  Hospice care is free.  Well technically we, the tax paying citizens of the United States, pay for it.  As long as you are eligible for hospice care, you don’t have to pay for anything out of pocket.  I can’t say the same about Acute care.  Acute care will bury you and your family in debt if you don’t have good health insurance. 

YOU GO TO A FACILITY TO DIE WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER HOSPICE PRISONERS

Believe it or not, one of the best parts about choosing hospice care is that you can go home.  You don’t have to stay in the hospital or go to the hospital for visits.  The care will come to you in the comfort of your own home.  Most people associate the word “Hospice” with a place.  But the word is actually a type of care.  If Hospice was a place, it would be home. 

DEATH IS AROUND THE CORNER

Just because someone is on hospice care doesn’t mean they are going to die within the next week or even month.  It isn’t uncommon for someone on hospice care to get better and end up living for multiple years.  The truth is, you just never know.  Nothing wrong with living everyday like it could be your last!

YOU HAVE NO SAY IN THE MATTER

Guess what?  No matter how smart your Doctor is, he can’t tell you what to do.  Based on their opinion and diagnosis, doctors are supposed to provide you with options of what you can do.  Hospice Care is one of your options if you are eligible. All this to say, the choice is ALWAYS yours. 

Jordan Evans, Director of Business Development, PDCRx