04/01/2026
Myth: Hospice is only for the last few days of life.
Fact: Hospice care is designed for a life-limiting prognosis of six months or less, and patients can receive care for that duration or longer if needed.
Myth: Hospice means giving up hope.
Fact: Hospice redefines hope, shifting from a hope for cure to a hope for quality time, peace, and comfort.
Myth: You must have cancer to use hospice.
Fact: Hospice is for any terminal illness, including dementia, heart disease, COPD, and ALS.
Myth: Hospice is a place you go.
Fact: Hospice is a service provided wherever a patient lives, including their private home, nursing homes, or assisted living facilities.
Myth: Hospice care is expensive.
Fact: Hospice is fully covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance, including medications and equipment.
Myth: Patients cannot keep their own doctor.
Fact: Patients are encouraged to keep their primary physician, who works directly with the hospice team.
Myth: Hospice uses medication to hasten death.
Fact: Hospice care focuses on pain management, not accelerating death. Expert pain management with medication can improve quality of life.
Myth: Once you choose hospice, you cannot stop.
Fact: A patient can "revoke" (cancel) hospice care at any time to resume curative treatment, and they can re-enroll later if eligible.
Myth: Families have to provide all the care.
Fact: Hospice provides a team—nurses, aides, social workers, and chaplains—to support the patient and family.
Myth: You must have a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order.
Fact: While many hospice patients have a DNR, it is not a legal requirement to receive hospice services.
