10 Common Myths Of Hospice Care

  • Hospice is Only for People with Cancer.
    Nationwide greater than one-fifth of all hospice patients have a diagnosis other than cancer. PruittHealth also serves patients and their families that are coping with the end-stages of chronic diseases, like emphysema, Alzheimer's, HIV/AIDS, or cardiovascular and neuromuscular diseases.
  • Hospice Care is Expensive.
    Most people who use hospice care are over age 65 and are entitled to the Medicare Hospice Benefit. This benefit covers virtually all hospice services and requires little, if any, out-of-pocket costs. This means that there are no financial burdens incurred by the family, in sharp contrast to the huge financial expenses at the end of life which are incurred when hospice is not used. Hospice services are also provided by Medicaid and most insurance companies. However, PruittHealth will provide service regardless of the patient's ability to pay.
  • Hospice is Only for Dying People.
    As a family-centered concept of care, PruittHealth focuses as much on the grieving family as on the dying patient. We offer individual and family counseling for thirteen months following the death of the patient. PruittHealth also offers grief services to the community at large, serving schools, churches and the workplace.
  • Hospice Can Only Help When the Family Members are Available to Provide Care.
    PruittHealth recognizes that terminally ill patients may live alone, or with family members who are unable to provide care. Therefore, PruittHealth will make every effort to coordinate with community resources to make home care possible. Or, we will provide assistance in finding an alternative location where the patient can safely receive care.
  • Hospice is for People Who Don't Need a High Level of Care.
    PruittHealth is both Medicare and Medicaid certified, which requires that we must employ experienced medical and nursing personnel with skills in symptom control. PruittHealth offers state-of-the-art palliative care, using advanced technologies to prevent or alleviate distressing symptoms.
  • Hospice is for People Who Can Accept Death.
    While those affected by terminal illness struggle to come to terms with death, PruittHealth will gently help them find their way at their own speed. We welcome inquiries from families who are unsure about their needs and preferences. The PruittHealth staff is readily available to discuss all options and to facilitate family decisions.
  • Hospice Patients Require a "Do Not Resuscitate" Status Prior to Admission.
    PruittHealth acknowledges and respects the end-of-life choices of its patients and their families. Therefore, PruittHealth 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.
  • Hospice Patients Cannot Live Longer than Six Months.
    Once an individual becomes a PruittHealth 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.
  • Hospice is for When There is No Hope.
    When death is in sight, there are two options: submit without hope or live fully as ever until the end. The gift of PruittHealth is its capacity to help families see how much can be shared at the end of life through personal and spiritual connections often left behind. It is no wonder that so many family members can look back upon their PruittHealth experience with gratitude, and with the knowledge that everything possible was done toward a peaceful death.
  • Hospice Patients are not Permitted to be Hospitalized.
    All PruittHealth patients with conditions requiring inpatient care, whether hospice-related or not, will have access to inpatient care at one of our contracted facilities. PruittHealth will continue to provide service to the patient and family during the hospitalization.​