Click each myth below to find out more

Truth: Not at all! There is so much more to hospice care.

A hospice is about living well, not just about the end of life. Many people come to the hospice for short stays to get symptoms under control.

With the right care and support, people often return home feeling more comfortable and confident. Hospice care is about making every day the best it can be.

Truth: Hospice care is for everyone, regardless of faith, belief or background. 

Our volunteer chaplains are available to support people in whatever way feels right for them — whether that’s prayer, quiet reflection, or simply having someone to listen, and our reflection room gives a breakout space for those of all religions or none. Every individual’s beliefs and values are respected.

Truth: While care homes focus on everyday living and long-term care, hospices provide specialist medical, emotional, and spiritual support for people with life-limiting illnesses.

Our teams include doctors, nurses, counsellors, and therapists who work together to meet complex needs.

Truth: There's many differences between them.

Hospices offer specialist medical care, but the atmosphere is completely different from a hospital.

Rooms are calm, comfortable, and personal, with time for meaningful conversations and family moments. The focus is on holistic care — physical, emotional, and practical — not just medical treatment.

Truth: Hospice care is about enhancing quality of life.

Accepting hospice care doesn’t mean giving up hope — it means focusing on comfort, dignity, and living well.

Many people receive hospice support for months or even years, and some come for short stays to manage symptoms before returning home. It’s about enhancing quality of life.

Truth: Hospice care continues long after a person's death.

Hospice care continues long after a person’s death through bereavement support for families, carers and loved ones. This might include counselling, group sessions, or just signposting and offering advice.

We’re here to help people navigate grief and find comfort in the months and years ahead.

Truth: No one is ever alone in a hospice. Patients are surrounded by caring staff, volunteers, family, and friends.

Whether it’s sharing a meal, joining in activities, or simply having someone to talk to, there’s always companionship and kindness close by.

Truth: Many people are surprised to find that hospices are filled with warmth, laughter, and love.

Of course, there are emotional moments, but there’s also joy, music, celebrations, and companionship. Hospices are places where life is valued and made meaningful.
 

Truth: Not at all! Hospices care for a variety of ages.

Hospice care is available for anyone who needs it, regardless of age.

While many patients are older adults, we also support younger people and their families who are living with a life-limiting illness. The focus is always on individual needs, not age.

Truth: Hospices provide care for many life-limiting conditions. 

Although hospices do support those living with cancer, we also care for people with many different life-shortening conditions - such as heart failure, motor neurone disease, lung disease, COPD and other progressive illnesses.

Hospice care is about quality of life, whatever the diagnosis.

Truth: Not at all, hospices are independent charities and not run by the NHS.

Whilst we receive a small portion of NHS funding (about 25% of our annual running costs), the majority of costs are met through donations, fundraising events, and community support.

Every pound raised helps keep hospice care available for local families.

Truth: Working or volunteering in a hospice is incredibly rewarding. Our staff and volunteers often describe it as a privilege to support people at such an important time in their lives.

The environment is full of compassion, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose – whether working directly with patients and families or supporting our wider teams such as fundraising, finance or in our shops.

Truth: At Wakefield Hospice we have a range of services including:

Friday Wellbeing Services
Dementia Care
Bereavement Services
Family Care and Support
Spiritual and Wellbeing
Complemetary Therapy 
 

Truth: Not at all, hospices support the whole family.

Hospice care supports the whole family, not just the person who is ill. That includes emotional, spiritual, and practical help for carers, children, and loved ones.

From complementary therapy to carer support and advice, we then go on to provide bereavement support and counselling after someone has died — no one is left to feel alone.

Truth: Hospice care is completely free to everyone who needs it.

Wakefield Hospice is a registered charity and relies on the generosity of the local community and fundraising efforts to provide care at no cost to patients and families.

*Dementia care is a paid for service.

Truth: Families and close friends are always welcome to stay when possible to do so, whether that’s for a few hours or overnight.

We know how reassuring it is to have loved ones nearby, so we provide comfortable spaces and flexible arrangements for family members to be together.

Truth: We understand how comforting and important pets can be. Whenever possible, we welcome visits from pets - they’re part of the family too.

Seeing a beloved animal can bring immense comfort and a sense of home to both patients and their families. We also have regular visits from our beloved Pet Therapy dog for extra dog cuddles.

Truth: Many people stay at the hospice for a short period of time.

Many people stay at the hospice for a short time, perhaps to get symptoms under control or to recover strength - and then return home with a full personalised care plan in place.

Hospice care adapts to your needs, whether that’s ongoing support or a brief period of rest and recovery.

Truth: Visiting hours are flexible.

Hospice visiting hours are much more open and fluid than in hospitals. Family and friends can visit whenever they like, between 8am-8pm.

We understand how important it is to be surrounded by loved ones, so we do everything we can to make visits as easy and flexible as possible at all times of the day.