Dispelling myths about Hospice care
There are many myths surrounding Hospice and palliative care and with National Hospice Week, the organisation hopes to share information and dispel some of these myths.
National Hospice Week is observed from May 3 to 10.
We’ve all heard about Hospice at some point or another but do you actually know what Hospice does?
As an NPO, Hospice provides palliative care to improve the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses through the prevention and relief of suffering, the early identification, assessment and treatment of pain and other psychosocial and spiritual concerns.
Psychological and spiritual aspects are taken into account when caring for patients as well as when providing emotional support and counselling for family members.
Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. The organisation neither intends to hasten nor postpone death.
Many myths are surrounding Hospice and palliative care and with National Hospice Week, the organisation hopes to share information and dispel some of these myths.
Myth: Hospice is for patients with cancer.
Fact: Hospice care is provided to any patients diagnosed with any life-limiting illness such as end-stage cardiac disease, lung disease, stroke, HIV, TB, end-stage motor neurone disease, end-stage multiple sclerosis and cancer.
Myth: Hospice is a place to send people to die with dignity.
Fact: Hospice provides holistic care for patients suffering from life-limiting conditions and care can be provided through patient admissions at certain facilities to provide respite care and terminal care in cases where families cannot cope at home.
Hospice East Rand focuses on providing palliative care in the comfort of our patients’ homes rather than in an in-patient facility.
Myth: Hospice care is only for people giving up on life.
Fact: Hospice is not about dying. It is about helping patients and their families cope with a life-limiting illness and the aim is to help improve the quality of life of patients.
Hospice wants to see patients live their lives to the fullest they can, with the time they have left. Hospice care is about compassionate care that adds life to days rather than days to life.
Myth: Palliative care can only be provided in a facility.
Fact: Palliative care can be provided wherever a patient is, whether it is at the patient’s home, clinic, old age home or frail care facility.
Myth: Hospice care replaces a patient’s healthcare provider.
Fact: Hospice care works hand in hand with a patient’s existing team of healthcare providers.
Myth: Hospice care is expensive.
Fact: Hospice care is accessible to all patients with life-limiting illnesses who meet the admission criteria.
Hospice care is funded through medical aids and non-medical aid patients are charged a set fee at the end of each month.
Provision of services is not dependent on the ability to pay.
Myth: Hospice care is only for patients with a few days or weeks to live.
Fact: Palliative care is certainly not about dying, it is about improving the quality of life of patients through pain control and symptom management whether that is physical, emotional or spiritual.
It is far better to reach out for support sooner rather than later.
Myth: Hospice care ends with a patient’s death.
Fact: Hospice care extends beyond a patient’s death with bereavement and grief support for family members by trained Hospice counsellors as needed.
For more information about Hospice East Rand’s services or how you can assist the organisation visit www.hospiceeastrand.co.za or call 011 422 1531.
