Hospice care is about quality of life — and sometimes, living longer

November's designation as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month offers Hospice of Mercy an opportunity to raise awareness of the wonderful care hospice delivers to patients and families facing advanced, life-limiting illness.

I feel fortunate to have joined the caring and compassionate Hospice of Mercy team as the new Director of Senior Services earlier this year. Already, I have seen our staff's expertise in action, and their commitment to providing patient-centered care.

Hospice of Mercy is the second oldest hospice in Iowa, and the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy is the only hospice house in Cedar Rapids. The interdisciplinary team provides care wherever the patient is, whether that's a private home, a nursing home, an assisted living facility, Mercy Medical Center or the Hospice House of Mercy.

Recognition and acceptance of hospice have grown steadily since its introduction more than 40 years ago. In 2013, an estimated 1.5 to 1.61 million patients received hospice services nationally, according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Yet, many people are still unaware of what services hospice offers, who is eligible, and when hospice care can begin. Unfortunately, many also believe hospice is just about dying. While hospice services do support individuals with a prognosis of six months or less who choose a comfort care approach at the end of life, hospice and palliative care actually help patients and families focus on living. Those of us who have worked in the field have seen firsthand how hospice and palliative care can improve quality of life.

A study published in the March 2007 issue of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management shows hospice care may prolong the lives of some terminally ill patients. Among the patients studied, survival was 29 days longer for hospice patients than for non-hospice patients. In other words, patients who chose hospice care lived an average of one month longer than similar patients who did not choose hospice care.

The researchers cited several factors that may contribute to longer life among those under hospice care. One of those being that hospice provides in-home care from a multidisciplinary team focused on the emotional needs, spiritual well-being, and physical health of the patient. Support and training for family caregivers is provided as well. This may increase the patient's desire to continue living and may make them feel like less of a burden to others.

Hospice of Mercy team members answer questions, offer guidance and information on what to expect, and support families with the role of being a caregiver. Our team of nurses, social workers, chaplains, volunteers, home care aides, a pharmacist and clinical providers is committed to helping patients achieve comfort and dignity at the end of life. Dietitian support and massage, pet and music therapies can help maximize quality of life. If circumstances or care-needs change, Hospice of Mercy offers longer-term care planning assistance for patients and their families, including the option of respite care. Grief support is provided for loved ones after the death of a loved one.

With the help of hospice, patients and families alike can focus on what's most important: enjoying life together and living as fully as possible.

Additionally, many do not realize that hospice care is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans. Thanks to Mercy's commitment to quality end-of-life care and strong support from the community, no patient is denied hospice services based on inability to pay.

As you gather with family members this holiday season, consider raising the important topic of end-of-life care. Make your own wishes known to loved ones and discuss their preferences for living out their final days.

If you think that you or a loved one may benefit from the support of hospice, please talk with your physician or call Hospice of Mercy at (319) 398-6496.

' Leann M. Thrapp is Director of Senior Services, Hospice of Mercy and Oldorf Hospice House at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. Comments: lthrapp@mercycare.org