Golden Opportunities

The decision to reach out for hospice care when a loved one is terminally ill is difficult to face. Adding to the challenge is confusing over how hospice fits into a treatment plan. What’s true, and what’s not? Here to dispel the most dangerous myths is Debby Berkey, vice president of hospice and palliative care services for the Visiting Nurse Service and Affiliates of Akron.

MYTH #1 HOSPICE CARE IS PRIMARILY FOR CANCER PATIENTS.

• No. There are two requirements to being eligible for hospice care. First, eligibility is based on someone having a terminal, debilitating condition where their attending physician and the hospice medical director determine that they have six months left to live. - Although people typically think of people in hospice having cancer, that is not necessarily the case. End stages of cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, Alzheimer’s, etc. also qualify for the hospice benefit.

MYTH #2 YOU LOSE HOSPICE IF YOU LIVE LONGER THAN 6 MONTHS.

• If the person lives more than 6 months, they do not lose the benefit if they are still declining. However, people can be discharged from hospice if they improve.

MYTH #3: IF YOU GO ON HOSPICE, YOU MUST ABANDON ALL MEDICAL TREATMENT.

• In hospice, the patient has decided not to seek aggressive curative treatment. Medical treatment of symptoms and for comfort is still given.

MYTH #4: YOU AND YOUR FAMILY GIVE UP CONTROL OVER YOUR CARE.

• One of the unique features of hospice is that patients and their families have even more input into their care. We find out where the person wants to be, who they want to have as their caregivers, etc. Patients may continue to see their own physician - in fact he or she is often the link between the hospice team and the family. Hospice care is not about dying. It focuses on living, and providing a strong quality of life.

MYTH #5: HOSPICE IS EXPENSIVE.

• Getting the hospice benefit can be a huge help to the patient and family, especially financially. Hospice is a Medicare benefit that pays for all of the care the patient receives (again, as long as it’s not curative treatment). Medication, oxygen, a hospital bed at home, etc. are all covered under the one benefit.

MYTH #6: HOSPICE IS ONLY AVAILABLE AT HOME.

• Although most hospice care takes place at home, we have a Hospice Care Center in Copley where patients can come if their symptoms are out of control, and receive treatment and care from physicians, bereavement nurses, social workers and chaplains. The person may return home if they desire after their symptoms are under control.

MYTH #7: WHEN YOU GO INTO HOSPICE, YOU MUST GIVE UP YOUR REGULAR CAREGIVERS.

• No. Earlier on in an illness, you may consider using an agency that has a continuum of care. For example we offer palliative care as well. When people are ready for hospice, they often will have the same caregivers, and that really adds to the patient’s comfort.

MYTH #8: HOSPICE CARE ENDS AT DEATH.

• No, we follow up with families one month, and then one year, after the death of the loved one.

Question: I understand that congratulations are in order. Can you tell us about the honor you've just received?

Answer: We've been given the Home Care Elite 2006 Award of Excellence, showing that we're in the top 25% of hospices in the nation. We're the only hospice in the immediate region of Akron that has received this honor, so we are very excited.

Hospice care might help your family. Call Debby's office to learn more.