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There are many misconceptions about Agrace HospiceCare. You will find some of the greatest misconceptions below. Please contact us if you have a question that is not answered here.
Myth: The person who is ill must be close to death in order to be admitted to Agrace HospiceCare.
Fact: People do not need to be near death, bed-bound or even homebound to be eligible for Agrace HospiceCare. In fact, we encourage our patients to go out and enjoy life. People who have a life expectancy of six months or less are eligible for Agrace HospiceCare. Often, our staff can be most helpful to people who are ill and their families when there is time to assess individual needs and develop a mutual trusting relationship.
Myth: Agrace HospiceCare only cares for people with cancer.
Fact: Agrace HospiceCare is appropriate for people with any life-limiting condition when the primary goal of care is to maintain comfort, manage symptoms and help the individual remain as active as possible. This includes patients with heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, pulmonary disease, end-stage liver disease and other life-limiting conditions.
Myth: Agrace HospiceCare patients cannot be hospitalized.
Fact: The majority of people receiving care from Agrace HospiceCare wish to avoid hospitalization as much as possible, and Agrace staff are experienced at managing the symptoms and problems that would normally require hospitalization. However, if hospitalization is necessary for the management of symptoms, it can be arranged without discontinuing Agrace HospiceCare services. Many patients who experience pain or symptoms that cannot be managed in the home are admitted to the Inpatient Unit of the Don & Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center.
Myth: The patient’s personal physician can no longer be involved after the patient is admitted to Agrace HospiceCare.
Fact: A patient’s own physician remains the primary physician. Agrace HospiceCare works closely with the primary physician to ensure that individuals get the best care possible.
Myth: Agrace HospiceCare will “take over.”
Fact: Agrace HospiceCare is a team effort. The person receiving the care and his/her family lead the team by defining their individual needs.
Myth: Agrace HospiceCare patients cannot receive treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and blood transfusions.
Fact: Agrace HospiceCare accepts people who are receiving—or may receive—these types of treatments if the patient’s life expectancy remains approximately six months or less and the goal of care is no longer cure.
Myth: Agrace HospiceCare provides around-the-clock nursing care.
Fact: Agrace HospiceCare provides intermittent in-home nursing visits and assistance with personal care. There is also 24-hour access to a nurse and a social worker for information, support and problem-solving, either over the phone or by a home visit.
Myth: Agrace HospiceCare is limited to a maximum of six months. Patients are discharged if they don't die within six months.
Fact: There is no limit to the length of Agrace HospiceCare services, provided the patient is medically appropriate for hospice and the goal of care remains comfort and control of symptoms. If a patient stabilizes or they experience a steady improvement in their health, they may be discharged from Agrace HospiceCare. However, the patient may be readmitted to Agrace any time if their health declines and their life expectancy meets the six-month criteria.
Myth: Agrace HospiceCare focuses on the acceptance of death.
Fact: Agrace HospiceCare recognizes that we all have different and unique goals, beliefs and coping strategies. Agrace HospiceCare does not force discussions about the acceptance of death, but staff remain available to discuss any issues important to patients and their families.
Myth: People receiving care from Agrace HospiceCare must die at home.
Fact: While most people receiving care from Agrace wish to die at home, other arrangements and support services are available.
Myth: All hospice patients must have "do not resuscitate" (DNR) status.
Fact: Agrace HospiceCare allows patients to make their own choice about whether they prefer to be resuscitated or to die naturally in the event their heart or breathing stops. We do not require patients to have "do not resuscitate" (DNR) status. At the time of admission, the Agrace team will talk with the patient and/or their family to be certain their end-of-life wishes and advance directives are reflected in the patient's plan of care.
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