The hospice program was started in 1974 to help care for terminally ill patients and their families and keep Americans comfortable as they near the end of their lives. Despite the fact that it has been around for almost half a century, there are still a lot of negative misconceptions about hospice that act as barriers to participation. Read on to find out about 10 myths about hospice and learn the truth about what it is and how it works.

Myth #1: Hospice Is a Place to Go to Die

In reality, hospice isn’t a place at all. Caregivers offer Hospice Care services in a variety of locations, including everything from private residences to nursing homes and hospitals.

Myth #2: Loved Ones Must Give Up All Control Over Patients’ Care

Family members and other loved ones form an integral part of hospice patients’ care teams. They work with physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, hospice aides, and others to come up with a plan that will ensure the patient is receiving all the care he or she needs to remain comfortable and can play as large or small of a role in caregiving as they want.

Myth #3: Hospice Is Only for the Religious

People of all religions or no religion can take advantage of hospice programs. They can get aid and guidance from chaplains or other spiritual counselors if they want it, but there’s nothing inherently religious or spiritual about hospice.

Myth #4: Hospice Is Expensive

The hospice program can actually reduce families’ expenses during the final six months of a terminally ill patient’s life. This benefit is covered under Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance so, for many patients, it will cost next to nothing.

Myth #5: Patients Must Forgo All Medications and Treatments

Hospice patients don’t need to stop their treatments or give up their medications. They’re actually encouraged to take advantage of medications and palliative treatments to relieve pain and discomfort.

Myth #6: Hospice Is About Giving Up

Don’t assume that, because hospice enrollment is restricted to those diagnosed with terminal illnesses, it means hospice patients are just giving up on life. What the program is really about is helping patients enjoy the time they have left.

Myth #7: Hospice Patients Die Sooner

The goal of hospice isn’t to prolong life, but it isn’t to hasten death, either. It’s to help patients live in comfort and dignity during the end of their days. Some patients actually live longer with the help of hospice workers.

Myth #8: Hospice Includes Voluntary Euthanasia

Hospice patients are terminally ill, so they eventually pass away from their diseases or their complications. Voluntary euthanasia is not a part of any hospice program.

Myth #9: Hospice Withholds Food and Water

In some cases, a patient’s disease can interfere with his or her body’s natural ability to process foods and water, and terminally ill patients almost always eat and drink less. However, hospice workers will never withhold nutrition or fluids.

Myth #10: Hospice Is Only for Cancer Patients

Although many hospice patients are suffering from terminal cancer, patients with any terminal illness are eligible for enrollment. Other common terminal illnesses whose symptoms can be controlled by hospice include ALS, Alzheimer’s, MS, AIDS, and COPD as well as kidney, liver, and heart disease.

The Bottom Line

Negative stereotypes about hospice can dissuade patients nearing the end of their lives from seeking the care they need. The best way to find out the truth is to speak with a specialist to learn about hospice and palliative care options.

Your car will most likely be one of your prized possessions. It’ll be one of the most expensive items you will own in your life, so there’s every chance that you’ll want to make sure it stays looking as good as it did when it first left the factory.

Keeping it looking just right can be expensive and time-consuming, but that doesn’t have to be the case. There are many different tasks that you can do yourself, which will mean your pride and joy will continue to shine. These are just some of the tasks you can do in order to maintain the look of your vehicle.

Avoid any unnecessary exposure
When you go somewhere, try to park your car in a place where there are fewer opportunities for it to get damaged. Look out for a parking garage where you can, or a covered parking deck, in case the weather turns bad.

Also look for shade, but try not to park under a tree, as your car could end up being covered in debris, bird droppings, or sap; or even get damaged from a fallen branch.

Get storage
Storing your car in a garage is the best way you can protect your car from different elements. It will shield your vehicle from rain, debris, low temperatures, and sunlight.

Not everyone has that option, though, so you should look for a cover that will give it respite from the elements. Consider portable car garages, which will do the job that you want, and can come in a variety of sizes and colors.

Wash it regularly
Making sure you wash your vehicle regularly means that any paint-damaging debris doesn’t accumulate. Do this every week if your park your car outside, as this will stop rain and bird droppings from damaging the finish. Car-wash soap (rather than dish soap) will retain the chemicals to give a long-lasting shine.

Use sun visors
Put visors on your front and rear windows so that your dashboard isn’t entirely exposed to the sun’s rays. Visors will also reduce the damaging effect of UV rays on the upholstery, leather, and interior plastics.

Don’t park under trees
You’ll want to find shade, but you need to be cautious with this. There are many different element of trees—such as pollen and sap—that could end up damaging the paint. Do your best to avoid parking in these spaces.

Use wax to keep the shine
There are many corrosive and toxic items that can stick to your vehicle’s paint and cut through it. Applying wax to your car will prevent them from doing any damage. You can do this every week or month, depending on what type you use. A paste wax, for instance, will last longer and won’t need to be applied as often.

Don’t write on your car
It can be fun to get your hands on a dirty vehicle, but you shouldn’t because dragging your fingers through the dirt can leave deep scratch marks. Your fingers will act like sandpaper, making the dirt penetrate through the paintwork.