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...
Something to Think About: a blog on end of life
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...
Caring for a Dying Son
Our children are not supposed to die before we do. I cannot think of any grief more intense than watching our child deteriorate before our eyes. We grieve their dying...
How Do You Grieve a Violent Death?
Sudden death by accident, suicide and certainly by violence intensifies those normal grief responses. Everything we feel with normal grief is as if we are being held under a magnifying...
How To Talk About Approaching Death
Our job as an end of life specialist is to address the elephant in the room, to be direct and honest in the gentlest way possible. We are not doing...
How To Say Goodbye When I'm Not There
People are dying and in a manner we are not used to. We, in America, have become accustomed to having our loved one either at home with family close, or...
Bereavement Support is Important at Any Time, Now, it's Vital
Hospice Bereavement support, as well as any bereavement support program (church, Community Support, Senior Activity Program) is important during the best of times. Now it is vital. Here are my recommendations;...
What Does Death Look Like?
We bring our fears, our childhood experiences with death, our culture, our belief systems, and our stereotypes to the bedside of the dying and the dead. Generally, none of that...