Myth #1 Hospice is a place.
Hospice is a philosophy of care, not a place. Patients can receive hospice care wherever they live – usually in their own homes, but also in nursing homes and assisted living facilities in HillsboroughCounty.

Myth #2 Hospice is only for people with cancer.
Though many patients do have cancer, LifePath Hospice serves terminally ill people of all ages, with all types of progressive diseases. These include heart, lung, kidney, vascular and neurological diseases, as well as AIDS and Alzheimer’s.

Myth #3 Hospice requires family members to be available to provide care.
While family members are usually trained to care for their loved ones at home – with the support of their LifePath Hospice team and 24-hour, on-call availability to a hospice nurse – there are many cases in which this is not possible. Patients who live alone or don’t have family available to assist them can receive care at LifePath Hospice Houses, if appropriate.

Myth #4 Hospice patients cannot live longer than six months.
Once an individual becomes a LifePath Hospice patient, he or she continues to receive services for as long as the services are required. Services are not discontinued unless they are no longer necessary or the patient chooses to have them discontinued.

Myth #5 Hospice is for patients who don’t need a high level of care.
End-of-life care is extremely complex and requires serious medicine. LifePath Hospice has specially trained physicians, pharmacists, nurses and therapists who provide comprehensive medical care, as well as state-of-the-art pain and symptom control, without the use of invasive technology. Their efforts are further enhanced by a team of other professionals and volunteers who provide a full range of support services for the entire family.
 
Myth #6 Hospice patients are not permitted to be hospitalized.
All LifePath Hospice patients with conditions requiring inpatient care, whether hospice related or not, will have access to inpatient care at one of our contracted facilities. LifePath Hospice will continue to provide service to the patient and family during the hospitalization.
 
Myth #7 Hospice care is expensive.
Hospice care is considerably less costly than care provided in other medical settings. It is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most other types of insurance. Furthermore, because LifePath receives generous support from the community, no one is ever turned away because of an inability to pay.

Myth #8 Hospice patients require a “Do Not Resuscitate” status prior to admission.
LifePath Hospice acknowledges and respects the end-of-life choices of its patients and their families. Therefore, LifePath Hospice does not require a “Do Not Resuscitate” status for admission. However, patients and their caregivers are provided with information and counseling so they can make informed decisions regarding end-of-life issues.
 
Myth #9 Hospice is only for people who will accept that they are dying.
Terminally ill patients and their families often struggle to come to terms with their limited life expectancies. However, hospice can help them address their fears, feelings and concerns and show them how to re-define hope within the context of their disease and personal lifestyles. Hospice has helped guide thousands of families through this once-in-a-lifetime experience and recognizes that every patient and family is unique. We work with each one in whatever ways they find most helpful.
 
Myth #10 Hospice is for people who have "no hope."
With hospice, the miracle isn’t in the cure…it’s in the caring. Because patients get substantial relief from pain and other symptoms – and their families are supported by a caring hospice team – they can choose exactly how they will spend their final weeks or months of life. This means they can share quality family time and have a meaningful, dignified, peaceful end-of-life experience.