Real vs. fake news: Myths vs. facts about hospice care
Real vs. fake news: Myths vs. facts about hospice care
The Journal; by Danielle Ruble, Chief Clinical Officer of Hospice of the Panhandle and Panhandle Palliative Services; 7/28/24
Writing an article naturally causes me to pause and reflect not only on my time working in the hospice realm, but also my “why.” Why was I originally drawn to this field of nursing, and why do I stay? My “why” is simple – mission-driven care. More specifically – mission-driven care centered around patient choice. Yes, it’s true, no one chooses to be terminally ill, but the type of care available is a choice. ... According to the Oxford Dictionary, a myth is a “widely held but false belief or idea” and hospice care is often associated with myths and misconceptions. Here are five myths that we frequently hear.
- Myth: Hospice is for people with a couple of days to live. ...
- Myth: Once you sign into Hospice, you can’t leave the program. ...
- Myth: Hospice and palliative care are the same. ...
- Myth: Everyone on hospice care is started on morphine. ...
- Myth: Hospice is only for people who have cancer. ...
Editor's Note: What is the accuracy of knowledge your hospice and palliative care employees? Volunteers? Referral sources? Facility partners (LTC, ALF, etc.)? The patients and families you serve? What gaps can you fill?