Hospice care is about living

By Leanne Burrack

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Each November, as part of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, Hospice of Mercy reaches out to our community to raise awareness about the compassionate care that hospice and palliative care provide patients and families coping with serious, advanced and life-limiting illness. We hope to expand acceptance and understanding of our purpose as health caregivers for those needing end-of-life care.

We want to remind people that hospice and palliative care help patients and families focus on living. This surprises some people. Those of us who have worked in the field have seen firsthand how hospice and palliative care can improve the quality of life. At Hospice of Mercy, we continually work to adopt evidence-based guidelines for advanced pain and symptom management in palliative care patients.

Research shows that families report a better quality of life under hospice and palliative care. There's a growing body of research showing that hospice and palliative care may prolong the lives of some people who receive care.

A new study by researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine shows that patients with terminal cancer who left hospice care required more hospitalization - including admission to emergency and intensive care units - than those who remained in hospice care. Hospice care also enables patients and families to spend more quality time together.

For 30 years, our team has provided expert medical care to keep patients comfortable and able to enjoy time with loved ones. Team members answer questions, offer guidance and information on what to expect and support families with the role of being a caregiver.

The team also provides emotional and spiritual support for the entire family.

As part of the effort to raise awareness about hospice and palliative care, Mercy is sponsoring a visit today by Dr. Gary Johanson, nationally known speaker and author of “Physicians Handbook of Symptom Relief in Terminal Care,” whose philosophy has helped shape our approach to palliative care.

Johanson will address area physicians and health care providers on the critical need for following advance practice guidelines in palliative care.

More than 1.5 million patients with life-limiting illness receive care every year from the nation's hospices. Hospice care honors those on life's final journey, leaving a legacy of compassion and caring for those they love.

Learn more about hospice. It's about living.

Leanne Burrack is Director, Hospice of Mercy, Mercy Palliative Care and Mercy Regional Cancer Center. Comments:

leanneburrack@

mercycare.org