Hospice workers provide palliative care to patients during their final months of life. Medical, spiritual, and emotional guidance offer comfort while alleviating some of the weight of a stressful situation. Despite being available for decades, hospice care remains one of the most misunderstood methods of care in Georgia's medical system. Because it plays such an important part in helping families deal with the end-of-life stage, it’s important to dispel the myths that surround it. The more people learn about what hospice providers do, the more likely they are to benefit from this much-needed service. Myth: Hospice Care Is Only for Patients Who Have Given Up
Hospice isn't about giving up or wallowing in sadness. When an individual makes the decision to stop medical treatment, it may come from a place of acceptance and a need to enjoy the time they have left. Once treatment no longer provides hope for a cure, hospice care provides physical and mental support while patients live out their last moments with friends and family. Myth: Hospice Care Is Only for Seniors While the term hospice often makes people think of the elderly, the sad truth is that people of all ages need it. Anyone who meets the hospice requirements of a life-limiting illness is eligible to receive services, no matter how old they are. Myth: Hospice Is an Expensive Service The cost of hospice care may vary by provider, but it’s unusual for any patient to pay the full cost out-of-pocket. Private and government insurance programs typically cover most or all of the bill. Those without proper insurance often can have the costs covered by grants or pay on a sliding-scale basis, depending on their financial situation. Myth: Hospice Requires a Need for 24-hour Care While hospice care providers are available 24-hours per day, not all patients need round-the-clock care. Instead, medical, spiritual, and mental-health professionals schedule recurring visits with the patient. Any additional care can be addressed as things come up. The truth is, hospice can be different things to different people. Hospice care focuses on the individual needs of the dying patient and their family. It helps everyone involved come to terms with the situation at hand at a speed that’s reasonable for them. Hospice is much more than medical care and offers comfort for those in an impossible situation. It allows them to find glimmers of happiness during sad days. Patients and those who love them find moments of peace that may not otherwise be available without hospice. It’s imperative to promote the truth about hospice care so that the people who need it can find and make use of it during their remaining months. If you or a loved one are looking for end-of-life care, our team at Hospice of the Golden Isles is available to answer questions or provide information about our program. We serve all of the southeast coast, including Brantley, Camden, Glynn, McIntosh, and Charlton. Call us today at 912.265.4735. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a term thrown around a lot when discussing the war or veterans’ support. Many people hold false assumptions about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that lead them to misunderstand the illness and create stigmas around those who are suffering. Stigmas cause prejudice to surround the illness and lead people to discriminate against those who have been diagnosed. In reality, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a complex illness that can manifest in many ways. The type and severity of symptoms vary from case to case, and many aspects that are commonly believed to be a part of the illness are simply aren't. Here are five things you should know about PTSD.
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