For some people, family is an integral part of their life. Not only do they help you through tough times, but your family offers the most meaningful things: understanding and compassionate care. In this world, nothing is more special than having someone at your side. So, when your loved one becomes older, it’s clear why you would want to take care of them in return. 

However, problems are bound to show up, which will make this job harder. One of these issues is a disheartening terminal illness. 

If your family member is suffering from a terminal illness, we wholeheartedly believe you are capable of taking care of them. Just know that assuming the role of caregiver can be a physically and mentally draining task.

Instead of constantly pushing yourself to the edge every day, we recommend seeking help by trying hospice care at home. 

At theEATBar, we made it our mission to bring more joy, connection, and love to families. With terminal illness being an inevitable challenge for some, there are many resources for patients and their families. One service, which has caught our eye, is hospice care.

Hospice care has developed a bad stigma, but this gossip is not based in truth whatsoever! In this article, we will cover the six most prominent myths concerning hospice and what this service has in store for you!

1. Hospice Care is Giving Up

Hospice seeks to improve the quality of life for terminally ill patients and their caregivers. Instead of hastening or postponing death, hospice care simply accepts death as the final stage of life. This idea has influenced people’s macabre view of the program. It also led to the myth: hospice care is about abandoning life and surrendering to the patient’s illness.

We're happy to say this idea is false! Rather than treating the disease itself, life is affirmed through care and treatment of the person and their symptoms. A team of professional social workers comes together to offer several comfort care services to the patient. Since hospice care is centered on family, the team gives the patient and their family a chance to make decisions in this program.

2. There’s No Turning Back

Oftentimes, the fear of no return can kick in when beginning anything. This idea has long been applied to hospice care. It’s understandable if someone is afraid of being stuck in a program.

Please put all these worries away because hospice patients and their families are free to stop their care at any time –– without penalty. Your only task is to sign a form, which includes the date that your care period will end. Most hospice patients do not continue the program after their health improves or their illness goes into remission. Whatever your case may be, remember: this is a decision that you control! 

3. Hospice Is Meant For The Elderly

People tend to associate hospice care with the elderly. This idea was, potentially, derived from the hospice programs in nursing homes and care facilities. These facilities mostly contain seniors because some elderly citizens require twenty-four hour assistance. 

However, this service is available for any patient whose illness does not respond to treatment anymore. A child, teenager, adult, and senior can all qualify for hospice care. Children and teenagers are more likely to stay in the privacy of their family’s house for hospice care. In the end, a child, teenage, and adult patient can receive the same benefits that a senior can get –– like spiritual, palliative, and respite care.

4. You Have To Leave Home

One myth speculates that you must leave your home, in order to receive hospice care. Care programs tend to be strictly associated with nursing homes, care facilities, and hospitals. Even though these establishments are reliable places to find hospice services, they are not the only areas where you can get help. 

There is a reason why people say: “There’s no place like home.” As stated previously, hospice care is meant to improve a patient and family’s quality of life. This includes their overall comfort. A person’s home can act as a central place of serenity. 

To help them feel more comfortable, a hospice team is willing to provide care at a patient’s house. At home, nurses can perform checkups, social workers can form family meetings, and hospice volunteers can help with small chores around the house.

5. Prepare To Break The Bank

High-quality health care programs are said to be expensive. Note that there are going to be people, who are uninsured or do not have a sufficient coverage plan. With these factors in mind, families decide not to try a care program. Since they desperately need the money for their patient, is a care program worth a try?

Based on our research on hospice care, we believe hospice is worth it because the program is flexible in terms of coverage. The most apparent ways to get covered for hospice care are through Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans' Administration (VA) benefits. 

If you’re with a private insurance company, then contact them. Many work-based and private insurance plans provide at least some coverage for hospice. If you have no insurance plan, hospice organizations can offer care at no cost or a reduced rate, as well.

6. Every Hospice Service is The Same

If there is no difference between each hospice service, then how can this care program fully help the patient and their family? Hospice care would only be able to assist them to a limited degree. In the end, the patient, caregiver, and family would be left with a sense of unfulfillment and sadness. 

Hospice services are far more diverse than what this myth infers. Hospice care can be divided into four levels: at-home, continuous, inpatient, and respite care. 

• At-home care consists of emotional and physical management, counseling for the patient and family, assistance with daily tasks, and nutritional services. 
• Continuous services occur when the patient requires more intensive care during a medical crisis. Round-the-clock nursing or extended periods of nursing support are provided for the patient and family. 
• In inpatient care, the patient is transferred to an inpatient treatment center if they can’t be helped at home. 
• Respite care allows a family to have a break from taking care of their loved one. During this period, the patient is cared for at the hospice facility, a nursing home, or a hospital.

The Real Hospice

Myths have the powerful ability to shape our view. By educating yourself, you can break the stigmas created by myths and learn about a subject’s true nature. 

Just take a look at what we learned about hospice care today. Hospice services allow the patient, caregiver, and family to gain a sense of hope and peace.

Make Hospice Better With theEATBar

Time in hospice care can be overwhelming for both the patient and the caregiver. To help lighten the worry of finding a delightful snack, we created the EATBar. 

The EATBar is a simple-to-eat snack and a great source of calories. Using a meringue texture, our bars can easily melt in your mouth. To make things even better, we have four delicious flavors in store for you: dark chocolate, strawberry, vanilla chocolate, and lemon. 

Taste theEATBar for yourself using our discount code BLOG15 to get 15% off your order!

To learn more about the EATBar, feel free to contact us. Don’t forget to also visit our blog for more family and food tips!