Visiting Nurse / Hospice Atlanta Blogs

7 Common Myths About Hospice

By Monisha Pujari, MD
If you’ve had a loved one on hospice care or not, we’ve all heard myths about hospice. From the age requirements to the location. Did you know more than 1.65 million Americans and their families receive hospice care annually? Hospice care comes with a lot of misconceptions but Dr. Pujari is debunking 7 common myths about hospice.

Myth # 1 – There is an age requirement for hospice 

Hospice is for anyone with a terminal prognosis, from young to old. While most patients are on hospice through the Medicare hospice benefit, younger patients may be on through individual insurance. According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization,about 35% of Medicare hospice patients in the United States are under the age of 80. Hospice welcomes anyone who qualifies and needs their support.

Myth # 2 – Hospice is only for when you’re actively dying

Hospice is for when you’re terminally ill, in 2016, more Medicare hospice patients had a principal diagnosis of cancer than any other disease. To qualify for hospice, you must be certified by two physicians, an attending physician and the hospice physician. This certification states that you have six months or less to live. You may live longer than six months and may continue to need hospice, but this certification is to justify to Medicare that you are ready to come on board.

Myth #3 – Hospice treatment is giving up

Hospice treatment can be very aggressive – in terms of providing comfort. The goal is not to prolong life at all cost but to provide the best quality of life possible for as long as one has left to live. Interestingly, as there are many medications and modalities to provide comfort, choosing comfort care can often provide much more meaningful management at the end of life than aggressive, symptom-ridden care.

Myth #4 – You can’t come off hospice

You most certainly can come on and off hospice. In fact, in 2016, 6.6% of patients were no longer terminally ill therefore discharged from hospice. However, as hospice is a philosophical choice, it isn’t good to sway back and forth between aggressive and comfort care. If you start hospice and then improve you may come off hospice. If you choose more aggressive care hospice might not be the right fit. While on hospice, you can also seek treatment for conditions unrelated to that for which you are on hospice. For example, if you are on hospice for end-stage congestive heart failure and need treatment for your gallbladder, you are not prevented from receiving this treatment.

Myth # 5 – You must be a Do-Not-Resuscitate/Do-Not-Intubate to come on service

We want to bring you on service, we’d like nothing better. While choosing to be a do-not-resuscitate/do-not-intubate (DNR/DNI) is more in line with the hospice philosophy, it is not mandatory for joining. We can work with you to help you understand why undergoing a code may not ultimately be in your best interest when you are terminally ill. But you don’t have to rush your acceptance to come on board.

Myth #6 – Hospice is a place

Although inpatient facilities exist, in reality, hospice is an agglomeration of terrific services. Hospice helps terminal patients achieve symptom relief and peace with the dying process. With different levels of care, hospice services can be provided in the home, assisted living facilities, nursing homes or in a hospice inpatient facility. Routine home care and continuous home care can be provided at home while respite care and general inpatient care can be provided in an inpatient facility.

Myth # 7 – Hospice is scary

When people think of hospice they think of dying. But hospice isn’t dying; it’s the antidote to the fear which dying inspires. Hospice is in place to take the edge off our primal fear of dying, and indeed, dying without hospice in place may be the more daunting and overwhelming prospect. Hospice, when implemented fully, strives to alleviate the fear we all have of our impending mortality.

Dr. Pujari is a practicing Hospice and Palliative Care physician who enjoys writing about the varied facets of palliative care.

Connect with Us on Instagram
Today, we remember and honor all who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication will never be forgotten. Forever grateful. 🕊️
#MemorialDay #HonorAndRemember #NeverForget #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem

...

4 1
🏌️‍♀️ We’re proud to be part of a great cause on and off the course!

Visiting Nurse Health System | Hospice Atlanta was honored to participate in and sponsor this year's LeadingAge Georgia Golf Tournament—an event that brings together healthcare partners and changemakers in senior care. 

This tournament helps sustain the vital work of LeadingAge Georgia, empowering member organizations that serve and advocate for our aging population across the state. It’s a privilege to be part of a community so committed to compassionate, quality care for older adults. ⛳️💙

#LeadingAgeGA #GolfForACause #SeniorCare #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HospiceAtlanta #AgingWithDignity #CommunitySupport

...

6 1
🎉 Please join us in celebrating our Employee of the Month – Dykia Brummitt! 🌟

Dykia’s dedication, compassion, and positive team spirit make a lasting impact on everyone she cares for. Her commitment to our mission and values here at Visiting Nurse Health System shines through in all she does, and we are so grateful to have her on our team. 💙👏

Congratulations, Dykia—you truly embody what it means to provide care with heart! 🏆

#EmployeeOfTheMonth #VisitingNurseProud #HealthcareHeroes #ThankYouDykia #visitingnursehealthsystem

...

3 0
🎉 Celebrating Nurses Month continues with our incredible nursing team at Hospice Atlanta | Visiting Nurse Home Health! 💙🩺Here's our Home Health team celebrating this week! We’re so proud of our compassionate, dedicated nurses who go above and beyond every day to care for our community in the comfort of their home. Thank you for all that you do! 👏

#NursesMonth #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #ThankYouNurses #hospiceatlanta

...

3 0
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us last Saturday for Hospice Atlanta's 3rd Annual Resilience bereavement event. Whether you came to listen, speak, or simply be present, your participation helped create a space of healing, support, and strength.

A special thank you to our incredible speakers, who so generously shared their stories, insights, and compassion. Your words touched many and reminded us all that even in grief, we are not alone.

To every attendee — your presence was powerful. Thank you for showing up for yourselves, and for each other. Together, we honored our losses and found comfort in community. Thank you to our gracious volunteers and staff who supported the event operations. Let’s continue to walk this path together. 💛

 #ResilienceEvent #GriefSupport #ThankYou #HealingTogether #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem

...

3 0
💐Happy Mother's Day!💐

#mothersday #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem

...

3 1
Happy Nurses Week! 
Celebrating this week the incredible dedication, compassion, and resilience of nurses here at Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta and everywhere! 🌟🩺
Nurses are the backbone of healthcare, providing unwavering support and care to patients and their families. In 2025, we continue to recognize the vital role they play in our communities and their commitment to improving lives. Let's take a moment to express our gratitude and appreciation for these healthcare heroes. 

Join us in celebrating Nurses Week by sharing a story of a nurse who has inspired you or by simply saying “thank you” to a nurse who has made a difference in your life.

Thank You For All You Do!! Happy Nurses Week! 💙🏥 #nursesweek2025#healthcareheroes#ThankYouNurses#visitingnursehealthsystem#hospiceatlanta

...

4 1
Thank you Mutual of America for a great time celebrating our mission, Healthcare Champions, and new friends of Visiting Nurse at Mercedes Stadium.

#visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #communityfirst

...

4 1
We had a great time celebrating OT month, culminating this week with our 2025 Home Health OT Breakfast! 
Thank you OTs for all you do!

#OTMonth #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #teamworkmakesthedreamwork❤️

...

4 0
Space Is Still Available - Sign Up Today!

Join us for our 3rd Annual Resilience Event on May 17th, 2025.

This FREE event is designed to support those on the grief journey.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
• Hear from others who understand the grief journey.
• Engage in grief break-out groups for shared support.
• Receive tangible tools to cope with loss and grief.
Together, we can build resilience and support each other through grief. Registration Required.

#hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem #grief

...

5 1
As we continue to celebrate our volunteers during National Volunteer Appreciation Week & Month, enjoy this message from one of our longtime volunteers and supporters sharing on why folks volunteer!

Barry gives to our community donating his time and talent in many ways impacting many around the globe, including helping individuals on their grief journey through TGBeyond! Thank you for all you do Barry!

#volunteer #volunteerappreciation #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #TGBeyond

...

4 0