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ARCHBOLD.ORG
•
SUMMER 2015
17
The truthabout
hospice
A COMMON MISCONCEPTION
is that hospice is about end-of-life care.
The reality is hospice helps patients and
their family members focus on living.
“Hospice care brings comfort and
peace to help people with life-limiting
illness live every moment of life to the
fullest,” says Jason Griffin, MD, medi-
cal director of Hospice of Southwest
Georgia.
Enrollment in hospice care offers
patients, as well as their family members,
a number of benefits. But according to
Dr. Griffin, there are still some important
facts about hospice that people don’t
know which prevents them from receiv-
ing the best care possible.
Myth:
Hospice is a place you go when
nothing else can be done.
Fact:
Hospice is not a place—it’s
high-quality medical care that helps
the patient and family caregivers focus
on comfort and quality of life. Hospice
serves people living in nursing homes
and assisted-living facilities, as well as in
the comfort of the patient’s home.
Myth:
Not everyone can a ord
hospice care.
Fact:
Hospice is paid for by Medicare,
Medicaid, most insurance plans, HMOs
and managed care plans. Fear of costs
should never prevent a person from
accessing hospice care.
Myth:
Hospice is only for the elderly.
Fact:
Hospice serves anyone with a
Hospice of Southwest Georgia
Bereavement Support Group
Hospice of Southwest Georgia offers a monthly Bereavement Support Group for those
who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one. Support group meetings are
led by trained Hospice of Southwest Georgia staff and provide an outlet and sup-
port system for those who are newly bereaved to share thoughts and feelings with
others going through similar situations. Participants learn from both each other and
hospice staff how to navigate the grief process and how to cope with their feelings
after loss.
For more information on Hospice of Southwest Georgia’s Bereavement Support
Group, please call
229.584.5500
.
JasonGriffin, MD
Medical Director
Hospice of Southwest Georgia
life-limiting illness, regardless of age or
type of illness. Hospice serves people of
all backgrounds and traditions; the core
values of hospice—allowing the patient
to be with family, providing spiritual
and emotional support, and treating
pain—are appropriate for differing
cultures.
Myth:
Patients on hospice only have
a few days left to live.
Fact:
Hospice patients and families can
receive care for six months or longer. To
get the most out of what hospice offers,
it’s better to have hospice care for more
than just a few days.
Myth:
I’ll have a new doctor if I’m
referred to hospice.
Fact:
A patient may keep his or her
referring physician involved while re-
ceiving hospice care. Our hospice team
communicates with your physician to
make sure he or she is aware of how
you’re doing while you’re in our care.
“Research has shown that the major-
ity of Americans would prefer to be at
home at the end of life’s journey,” says
Dr. Griffin. “Hospice care makes that
possible for most people.”