● Bias/Myth #1: It is common that hospice is associated in the general public as a service for just those with cancer at the very end of life. This is not true. It is a service for those with many other conditions including dementia, and meant for more than just the last few weeks of life.

● It is common that hospice is started TOO late in the course of the disease. In fact, most people are on hospice for only 2 weeks before passing when hospice is meant to support individuals in the "last year of life".

● If hospice is started MUCH sooner than what typically happens, it can ACTUALLY help to extend life and improve the quality of life for the person AND their family. If someone gets on hospice early enough, the individual may get so MUCH BETTER while on hospice, they are no longer eligible for hospice and are discharged from the program. This is ok. They can always join hospice again when things decline, discharge if they get better, then join again, etc. For Dr. Taylor, this has been an important tool/practice to better support families and she has observed patients live much longer than expected (years).

● Why do patients live longer with early hospice referrals? Medicare pays for nurses in hospice programs to go into the home much more frequently than home health, so this is a major factor for catching and treating infections early, that would otherwise cause death. There are also many more services that support families like spiritual and social work through hospice.

● Hospice will also cover more hours of home health aides in the home than home health will.

● Hospice will also cover supplies that otherwise is not covered by Medicare like incontinence pads/guards/diapers/calmoseptine

● Bias/Myth #2: I have to stop all my meds to be on hospice.This is not true. All medications can be continued if the family so chooses. There may be a discussion around simplifying medications which will often make sense for the overall clinical picture, if this hasn't already been done by the PCP or our team.

● Does the family member have other questions/concerns? If so, escalate to the care team to make sure it isn't a myth. Either way, the family can consult with hospice first to learn more. They are NOT obligated to move forward with hospice.

● Take home: Hospice services are an important Medicare covered tool that can get more services into the home quickly, provide payment of clinical supplies (incontinence supplies), and actually extend life (including quality of life)

Version: YT 1/16/2025