| Medicare provides only six months of hospice care, so delay enrollment as long as possible. |
Medicare law does not limit the hospice benefit. Patients may enroll when their physician and the hospice medical director judge that the illness is terminal, with an estimated life expectancy of six months or less. |
| Hospice means giving up hope. Hospice workers help people die. |
Hospice offers hope that a secure, familiar care setting can be enjoyed. Hospice offers hope for personal dignity and freedom and hope that the family will be nurtured and supported, even after the death of a patient. Hospice staff do not hasten or prevent death. |
| Hospice is only useful for heavy duty pain medications. |
Hospice is designed to provide medical care, but also social, psychological and spiritual support. |
| Hospice is only for cancer patients. |
Hospice is available to anyone with an advanced illness. |
| Hospice is only for the sick family member. |
Hospice supports all family members during the illness and offers bereavement support up to thirteen months after death. |
| Hospice is a place, so you must leave home to receive care. |
Hospice care may be given in your own home, nursing home or hospital. |
| Hospice is expensive. |
Hospice costs Medicare less and patients often live longer, according to new research stated in the 2004 Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. Patient's usually have no charges incurred. |
