Hospice Palliative Care Myths

Hospice Myths

Myth: If I accept a referral to hospice palliative it means I am giving up hope.

FACT: Nothing could be further from the truth. Accepting a referral simply means you have chose to focus on quality of life, based on your individual choices, so you can live as fully as possible for as long as possible. The goal of hospice palliative care is to reduce physical pain, create emotional wellbeing and enhance spiritual peace.

Myth: Hospice palliative care is only available in the last few days of life.

FACT: Hospice palliative care is available to persons living with a life-limiting illness at any point that they wish to seek assistance. People live on an average of 29 days longer with the support of hospice palliative care and they live with more comfort, dignity and peace.

Myth: Hospice palliative care is best provided by specialists.

FACT: Families can provide quality care for a loved one with a life-limiting illness. Hospice palliative care staff, volunteers and health service partners offer support, encouragement, training, and respite for family members caring for a loved one. Families have been providing care at end-of-life for centuries; it is only in recent times that we have given that love and caring support over to professionals.

Myth: Hospice palliative care is expensive.

FACT: Hospice palliative care is FREE. Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care (MVHPC) is sustained through government support (80 per cent) and community donations (20 per cent).

Myth: Hospice is a facility for end-of-life care and means I will have to leave my home.

FACT: Hospice is not a place; it is a concept of care. All services are provided wherever the patient may be- home, long term care (LTC) home, assisted living, seniors apartments or hospital. Hospice palliative care supports patients and families wherever they may be.

Myth: Hospice palliative care services stops when your loved one dies.

FACT: MVHPC provides free grief and bereavement support to families for a year or longer after the loved one’s death.

Myth: MVHPC bereavement services are only available to family members of hospice patients.

FACT: Our bereavement support is available to any community member who has suffered a loss through the death of a loved one.