Fear of the Word “Hospice” - What's to Fear?

I've worked in hospice for several years. It is a personal passion and mission of mine. For those reading this who work in healthcare, especially hospice, thank you for all that you do for others daily.

I am not here to talk about the healthcare professionals today, but the misconceptions and fear that are associated with hospice. 

I find it sad that people still associate hospice with dying and not as a level of care that helps people to keep living the best quality of life possible. When you hear the word “hospice,” how does it resonate with you? Many people will feel sadness, fear, or anxiety. Please know those are normal feelings and being afraid of death is natural. Let’s acknowledge truth: It is the fear of the unknown, not fear of hospice. 

What's even more disheartening is that people won’t choose hospice care - not only because of fear, but because they are in denial of the medical prognosis they have been given. Only about 25% of people who are appropriate for the hospice benefit actually choose the service. It's crazy to think about how under-utilized this level of care is.

I've personally heard the conversation, and it goes somewhat like this:"Mr./Ms., we have done everything that we can medically do at this time. We have exhausted all treatment options, and we feel that hospice is the best option." And during that conversation, families are shocked.

Why is that? Why aren't the patients and families aware of the progression of the disease process? Believe it or not, there is fear in the healthcare profession to deliver that statement to patients and families. The conversation is never easy; trust me, I've been one to have that discussion with patients and families.

If I were to tell you that you shouldn't be fearful, I would be a hypocrite. I personally think about my own mortality from time to time. I believe I would try to exhaust everything possible to cure whatever disease process I had. But if I knew that even with curative treatments that my chances were less than 50%, I would want to look at all of my options - including hospice care. 

Fear will always be present. The decision to choose the hospice benefit is big. Please know this; hospice doesn't kill people, it provides comfort care. The diseases themselves do - the Cancer, COPD, CHF and others.

Hospice helps people to live their best life possible for whatever time they have. It's about QUALITY of life and SUPPORT for the family during and after a loved one passes.

Unfortunately, people will continue to associate hospice only with death, and not what the service truly is...to provide quality of life and support.

Do not fear hospice; It is about living.

Ask questions, educate ourselves, and care for each other.