Myth #1: I will have to move to a place that is not in my neighborhood to receive hospice care.

Fact: The majority of hospice patients receive care in their own homes.

Myth #2: I can wait until my condition has severely progressed before receiving hospice care.

Fact: A patient and family can benefit much more when hospice care is started earlier.  It is estimated that 50% to 75% of terminally ill people in Hawaii are eligible for hospice care, but only 20% are actually admitted in a hospice program.  Too often, referrals for hospice care are not made until the patient is near death.  The majority of hospice referrals are cancer related; however, hospice can also benefit those with kidney disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), AIDS, end stage heart and lung disease, advanced dementia, and other life-limiting illnesses.   

One of the problems with hospice is that it is often not started soon enough. Sometimes the doctor, patient, or family member will resist hospice because he or she thinks it means you're giving up, or that there's no hope. This is not true. If you get better or the cancer goes into remission, you can be taken out of the hospice program and go into active cancer treatment. You can go back to hospice care at a later time, if needed. The hope that hospice brings is the hope of a quality life, making the best of each day during the last stages of advanced illness.

Myth #3: With hospice care, patients suffer more because there is no medical intervention.

Fact: Hospice care emphasizes a patient’s comfort through palliative (pain and symptom management) rather than curative treatment. Professional medical care is still necessary for hospice care. Hospice care provides comprehensive comfort to patients by not only relieving physical pain but also, emotional, social, and spiritual pain. 

Myth #4: My life will be shortened. Hospice will hasten my death.

Fact: Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death.  Typically, a doctor who believes a patient with a terminal illness has a life expectancy of six months or less will recommend hospice care.  Instead of focusing on length of life, hospice places greater emphasis on quality of life. 

Myth #5: Hospice care is expensive.

Fact: Hospice care is lower in cost than hospitalization because there are no extensive laboratory or other diagnostic charges. St. Francis Hospice is a Medicare/Medicaid certified hospice program, and many other private insurance companies reimburse all or part of the cost of home hospice care.