Upland Hills Health: Ten Misconceptions about Hospice

The patient must be actively dying in order to be admitted to Upland Hills Hospice.

False. Patients with a prognosis of six months or less are appropriate for hospice. Upland Hills Hospice can be most beneficial to patient, caregiver, and family when there is sufficient time to fully assess needs and strengths and to establish a trusting relationship.
Upland Hills Hospice only sees those with terminal cancer.

False. Upland Hills Hospice is appropriate for any terminal diagnosis.
Upland Hills Hospice patients cannot be hospitalized.

False. Upland Hills Hospice patients may be admitted to the hospital for symptom control without discontinuing hospice services.
Physicians can no longer be involved in caring for patients they refer to Upland Hills Hospice.

False. Upland Hills Hospice encourages the primary physician to be part of the patient’s interdisciplinary team. Upland Hills Hospice supplements rather than replaces the physician. Our Medical Director is available as a resource and can make home visits if necessary.
Upland Hills Hospice is going to “take over.”

False. Upland Hills Hospice is a team effort. We work with physician, caregivers and families to support the patient’s needs.
Upland Hills Hospice patients cannot receive active treatment.

False. Upland Hills Hospice accepts patients who are receiving, or may receive palliative treatment (pain/symptom control). Patients who choose Upland Hills Hospice need not feel they are limiting their options for future care.
Upland Hills Hospice provides around the clock nursing at home.

False. Upland Hills Hospice provides regular in home nursing visits and 24-hour telephone access to nursing staff for information, support, and visits if needed.
Upland Hills Hospice is limited to a maximum of 210 days.

False. There is no limit to the length of hospice services. Should a patient stabilize, we may temporarily discontinue hospice services until they are needed again.
Upland Hills Hospice forces the family to talk about death.

False. Upland Hills Hospice accepts the patients and families as they are. We do not force acceptance or discussion of the terminal diagnosis, but remain available to discuss any issues the patient and/or family choose.
Upland Hills Hospice patients have to die at home.

False. While most patients choose to die at home, those who prefer to die in a hospital or nursing home setting may still continue receiving hospice care.

800 Compassion Way • PO Box 800 • Dodgeville, WI 53533-0800
608-930-8000 • Fax: 608-930-7250 • TDD 608-935-0008