Hospice at Hays Medical Center has been providing services to the terminally ill and their families for 30 years. Hospice covers medications, medical equipment and medical supplies related to the terminal illness and addresses the physical, spiritual, psychological and social needs of the patient and family.

Bereavement follow-up is provided to the family for at least 15 months. The hospice team includes the patient's attending physician, the hospice medical director, nurses who are on 24-hour call, social worker, hospice aide, clergy, trained volunteers and other professionals as needed. Hospice care is about helping patients live each day of their lives to the fullest extent possible, and providing support to both patients and families.

When making a decision about hospice care, it helps to have a good understanding of what hospice is, and what it isn't. Here are some of the most common misconceptions about hospice, along with the true facts about this special kind of care.

Myth: Hospice is a place.

Reality: Hospice care usually takes place in the comfort of your home, but can be provided in any environment in which you live, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and residential care facilities.

Myth: To be eligible for hospice care, a patient must already be bedridden.

Reality: Hospice care is appropriate at the time of the terminal prognosis, regardless of the patient's physical condition. Many of the patients served through hospice continue to lead productive and rewarding lives. Together, the patient, family and physician determine when hospice services should begin.

Myth: Hospice means the patient will soon die.

Reality: Receiving hospice care does not mean giving up hope or that death is imminent. The earlier an individual receives hospice care, the more opportunity there is to stabilize your physical symptoms and address other needs. Some patients actually improve and may be discharged from hospice care.

Myth: Families have to pay for hospice care.

Reality: Hospice care is a Medicare and Medicaid benefit. Most private insurers also cover hospice care as well. Through the hospital's charity care program, Hospice at Hays Medical Center provides care for all patients, regardless of an individual's ability to pay.

Myth: Patients have to give up their own doctor.

Reality: Patients may keep their own physician, who will work with the hospice medical director.

Myth: Hospice is only for cancer patients.

Reality: Hospice is for any illness in the terminal phase, including heart disease, dementia, lung disease, ALS or other conditions.

Myth: Hospice is only for the elderly.

Reality: Hospice at Hays Medical Center cares for individuals of all ages, including children.

Myth: Once a patient elects hospice care, he or she cannot return to traditional medical treatment.

Reality: Patients always have the right to reinstate traditional care at any time, for any reason. If a patient's condition improves or the disease goes into remission, he or she can be discharged from hospice.

Myth: Patients can only receive hospice care for a limited amount of time.

Reality: Hospice care can continue as long as the patient meets the criteria necessary.

Myth: Hospice provides 24-hour care.

Reality: The hospice team visits patients intermittently, and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for support and care.

Myth: All hospice programs are the same.

Reality: All licensed hospice programs must provide certain services, but the range of support services and programs may differ. Some programs are nonprofit (such as Hospice at Hays Medical Center), and their revenue is used to provide patient care and community services, versus for-profit hospices, which are accountable to shareholders.

Myth: Hospice is just for the patient.

Reality: Hospice focuses on comfort, dignity, and emotional support. The quality of life for the patient, but also family members and others who are caregivers, is the highest priority.

Myth: Hospice means giving up hope

Reality: When faced with a terminal illness, many patient and family members tend to dwell on the imminent loss of life rather than on making the most of the life that remains. Hospice helps patients reclaim the spirit of life. It helps them understand that even though death can lead to sadness, anger and pain, it can also lead to opportunities for reminiscence, laughter, reunion and hope.

Sue Noll is supervisor of hospice and palliative care at Hays Medical Center. November is National Hospice Month