The word hospice is one many people don't want to hear. While hospice care is a wonderful thing and comforting to your whole family, there are many common misconceptions that keep families from taking advantage of this service. Here are 3 misconceptions.1. You must have cancer:Although many hospice patients do have cancer, having a terminal illness is the only criteria. A physician must say that IF your diseases progresses normally, you could pass away within a six month period. 2. You must be bedridden to qualify:Hospice patients are actually encouraged to be active and to do things they enjoy. We want our patients to live their lives to the fullest by spending time doing what they want to do. 3. Hospice means giving up hope:Hospice care is about living- not dying. A patient is not giving up hope but rather changing what they hope for. To die with dignity, as little pain as possible and surrounded by those who love and care for you is a hope that most people have. Hospice care helps this happen. Hospice care is done by an interdisciplinary team helping you and your family. Volunteers, social workers, nurses, aides and physicians work to provide compassionate comfort care. Bereavement services are available for your family after the death as well- all part of the hospice benefit which is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Tarrah Lowry-Hildreth at Sangre de Cristo Hospice. For more information she can be reached at 719-542-0032

Nearly one million Americans were served by hospice last year. Yet there are many myths about hospice that keep people from getting this compassionate care when they need it most.Hospice is not just about those who are dying; it's a comprehensive care that focuses on living as fully as possible, surrounded by loved ones, up until the end of life. The sooner hospice is involved, the better. Hospice offers many wonderful services to the patient and their family.Hospice care is done by a team. Care plans are developed to control pain and symptoms; help with personal hygiene; counseling for the entire family; spiritual support; volunteer services, like sitting with patients so family can run errands; and bereavement programs after death. Here are a few misconceptions people have:Patient must be close to death in order to be admitted.A physician can recommend hospice care for a patient if the physician believes that the patient probably has six months or fewer to live. Hospice care can actually increase quantity and quality of life because of the attention to the well-being of the whole person-physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Patients can live for years and still qualify for hospice!Hospice is only available in the home setting.Hospice services can be provided to patients in nursing homes, long term care and hospice house facilities. Having the hospice team visit the patient at a nursing home is an extra benefit for the patient. Sometimes home hospice patients temporarily go to a residential hospice to give caregivers a needed break or to get symptoms under better control.Primary physicians are no longer involved in care.Hospice encourages the primary physician to be part of the interdisciplinary team. Hospice supplements rather than replaces the physician. Hospice works with physicians to support patient needs.Hospice only sees patients with a terminal cancer diagnosis.Hospice is appropriate for any terminal diagnoses including cancer, AIDS, ALS, heart disease, respiratory and lung disease, heart disease and dementia.Editor's note: This article was submitted by Tarrah Hildreth at Sangre de Cristo Hospice. She can be reached at. 719-542-0032.

Hospice is a concept of care, not a specific place of care. Hospice emphasizes quality rather than quantity of life. The dying are comforted. Professional medical care is given, and sophisticated symptom relief provided. The patient and family are both included in the care plan and emotional, spiritual and practical support is given based on the patient's wishes and family's needs.Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death. Hospice provides personalized services and a caring community so that patients and families can attain the necessary preparation for a death that is satisfactory to them.Those involved in the process of dying have a variety of physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs. The nature of dying is so unique that the goal of the hospice team is to be sensitive and responsive to the special requirements of each individual and family. Hospice is often a misunderstood benefit and, often, what people don't know can stop them from getting the services they need.Here are 7 things you may not know about hospice:1. Hospice isn't a place. Hospice is a group of medically based services that helps patients and caregivers focus on comfort and quality of life.2. Hospice isn't expensive. Hospice is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurers.3. Hospice serves people wherever they call home. Hospice can be provided in private homes, apartments, nursing facilities and assisted living facilities.4. Hospice services can help to keep people in their homes longer by providing medical care and emotional and spiritual support.5. Hospice isn't just for the last few weeks of someone's life. Hospice services are actually more meaningful to people when they are started as soon as someone is eligible for services.6. Some people who have hospice services improve and no longer need the care.7. Hospice patients can receive care for longer than six months if they continue to be appropriate and want the service.Editors Note: this article was submitted by Caren Ermel, President and CEO Sangre de Cristo Hospice For more information she can be reached at Sangre de Cristo Hospice at (719) 542-0032, www.sangredecristohospice.org

Nearly one million Americans were served by hospice last year. Yet there are many myths about hospice that keep people from getting this compassionate care when they need it most. Hospice is not just about those who are dying; its a comprehensive care that focuses on living as fully as possible, surrounded by loved ones, up until the end of life. The sooner hospice is involved, the better. Hospice offers many wonderful services to the patient and their family.Hospice care is done by a team. Care plans are developed to control pain and symptoms; help with personal hygiene; counseling for the entire family; spiritual support; volunteer services, like sitting with patients so family can run errands; and bereavement programs after death. Here are a few misconceptions people have:Patient must be close to death in order to be admitted.A physician can recommend hospice care for a patient if the physician believes that the patient probably has six months or fewer to live. Hospice care can actually increase quantity and quality of life because of the attention to the well-being of the whole person-physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Patients can live for years and still qualify for hospice!Hospice is only available in the home setting.Hospice services can be provided to patients in nursing homes, long term care and hospice house facilities. Having the hospice team visit the patient at a nursing home is an extra benefit for the patient. Sometimes home hospice patients temporarily go to a residential hospice to give caregivers a needed break or to get symptoms under better control.Primary physicians are no longer involved in care.Hospice encourages the primary physician to be part of the interdisciplinary team. Hospice supplements rather than replaces the physician. Hospice works with physicians to support patient needs. Hospice only sees patients with a terminal cancer diagnosis.Hospice is appropriate for any terminal diagnoses including cancer, AIDS, ALS, heart disease, respiratory and lung disease, heart disease and dementia. Editors note: This article was submitted by Tarrah Hildreth at Sangre de Cristo Hospice. She can be reached at. 719-542-0032.

When Americans prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, we focus on appreciating the things that truly matter family and friends, meaningful moments, conversation and laughter. Its only fitting that National Hospice and Palliative Care Month also is observed in November, an ideal time for those already coming together to discuss matters that are important to the family as a whole.Palliative care can be given at any point during the course of illness, while hospice is a form of palliative care provided when physicians determine that a person is nearing the last six months of life. Support extends to family members, too, helping them cope with their loved ones illnesses and caring for them at home when possible. Each year, nearly 1.4 million Americans receive these life-changing services, which help ensure dignity, respect and peace during lifes most difficult journey. Rather than focusing on finding a cure, the emphasis shifts to getting the best quality of life, regardless of the quantity of days left. But many people still dont know about hospice and palliative care, or they have misconceptions that become barriers to care. As a result, many individuals still die alone or in pain.So why does all this matter and why should you consider starting a conversation about end-of-life at your Thanksgiving table? Because Americans are aging at a rapid pace.According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 46 million Americans over the age of 65, and that number is expected to double in the next 30 years. More importantly, research has shown that eight out of 10 Americans would prefer to die in their homes, free of pain, surrounded by family and loved ones. And thankfully, hospice care can grant this wish when people know about it and fully understand its many benefits.End-of-life discussions at Thanksgiving need not spoil the other traditions that weve grown to care so deeply about. As you gather around your own Thanksgiving table with friends and family this year, my greatest hope is that you will take the time to talk about your wishes.Editors Note: This article was submitted by: Wendi Dammann, COE, Sangre de Cristo Community Care. She may be reached at 719-542-0032