Fact:  Hospice is about helping people enjoy the best possible quality of life.  Hospice patients are encouraged to live life to the fullest.

Fact:  Hospice occurs wherever the patient calls home, including a nursing home or assisted living facility.  80% of all hospice care is provided in the comfort of home.

Fact:  The earlier the need for hospice is identified, the more benefits the patient may protentially get from the care.  This leads to a hight quality of life for patients with life-limiting conditions.

Fact:  Patients do not have to sign a DNR or other advance directive to receive hospice care.

Fact:  Any patient with a life-limiting illness with a life expectancy of six months or less may be appropriate for hospice care, including but not limited to, those with end-stage heart disease, COPD, Alzheimer's disease, end-stage renal or liver disease and ALS (Lou Gerrig's disease).

Fact:  Anyone can make a referral.  The information will be taken and the patient's doctor will be contacted to discuss whether an assessment of the patient for hospice is appropriate. 

Fact:  Your family physician can be a member of the hospice care team and is regularly informed of your condition.

Fact:  While hospice strives to manage pain and other uncomfortable symptoms outside of the hospital, a hospice patients always has the choice to go to the hospital.

Fact:  The Medicare Hospice Benefit may cover chemotherapy, radiation, blood transfusions or other treatments if those treatments are providing comfort for patients eligible to receive the benefit (life expectancy of 6 months or less if the illness runs its normal course.)

Fact:  Hospice is a covered Medicare Benefit, and most private insurance and Medicaid will also cover services.  In addition, medical equipment and prescriptions related to the life-limiting condition are often covered under these benefits.  Hospice care is available to all elgible patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Fact:  The Medicare Hospice Benefit covers the care of a hospice patients as long as the patient is considered terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less.