Using Hospice Volunteers During COVID
I was Zooming with a hospice today for Q & A’s and the subject of not being able to use volunteers because of Covid came up. WHOA!!! What do you...
Something to Think About: a blog on end of life
The Scar In Your Heart: Grief In End of Life Care
You asked why your relationship to your hospice work was affected following the death of your dad. I think because every time you entered a patient's home and life it...
Mom's Dying Alone And It's Unbearable
Zooming is certainly helpful but know as she progresses toward death she will not be able to respond, even to know you. Continue the zooming and talking to her even when...
Rapid Heart Rate in the Dying
Their body is trying to keep going even while it is shutting down. The body's defenses are doing whatever they can to keep the body functioning THAT is why there...
FOUR “NAUGHTIES” FOR END OF LIFE
Keeping Secrets: “Don’t tell mom.” Don’t say that she could die.” Don’t talk to her about “sad” things.” “Pretend everything is going to be alright.” Mom lives inside of her body....
Dying Scared
I get a lot of letters like the one I’ve edited below. We, as a culture, are so unprepared for witnessing a death. We have no accurate role models. We...
The Three Signs of Approaching Death From Disease or Old Age
Know that all of these signs of approaching death, whether indicating months or weeks, are just guideposts. Some people will show all of them...
In A Time Of Overwhelming Loss...
When someone we know or are close to dies we expect to grieve. We recognize our sadness but often we don’t recognize our impulsiveness to clean the house, or our...
What Happens In A Death Rally?
We believe from all signs that death is rapidly approaching. Then one morning they seem to actually wake up. They are less confused, they want to eat, or get up....
Why Did They Put Dad To Sleep?
There are so many reasons your father could have been receiving medicine by a “needle”. I am not fond of IV or giving medication by a “needle” as end of...
Does Our Personality Change As We Approach Death?
First, what is meant by “dying person”? In the months before death most people really don’t believe they are dying. “Other people die, not me. There will be a cure,...
The Silent Scream, Grimaces, and Scary Faces As We Die... Why?
There is a labor to dying. It is hard work for us to get out of our body (some harder than others). Think of the little chick that works, struggles...