Something to Think About

I also thought as we get older that question tends to come out of hiding more easily. The older we are the more the question lies in the back of...

In the months before death when the patient is still alert, still actively engaging, watch for clues, for openings to help bring the "what has life been about" thoughts forward...

Dying is not a medical event. Dying is a communal, social event. Nursing and physicians are part of care, but not the all encompassing focus. The main focus of end...

I think the reason hospice gets their referrals in the weeks before death rather than months is because hospice implies death will come. We look for and hope for a...

Since at this time there are no “standards of practice” or even standards for the content given in end of life training, think about what you are looking to provide....

By Your Side offers guidance in the area of making choices: cure, life sustaining, comfort care, making advanced directives, and funeral planning. It details signs of approaching death (what to look...

Here is my idea of a death call. I have to warn you, it may take more than 10 minutes.

When the medical establishment has used all of their options to extend life of course we will not be happy with life and living. We may be depressed, angry, often...

*What happens if I say no to treatment options? A scary question to ask, but important when making a quality of living decision. No one can put a number on...

The more you learn about end of life, what happens, what it looks like, the less fear you will bring to the experience and with less fear you can get...

What to do? First, look at the wording you wrote to me "could be dying." Actually, everyone is dying. Everyday we are one step closer to the end of our life. You're...

At this point is when you ask the physician, “What is happening? Is it wise to continue this course of treatment? What are your expectations for this treatment? Are we...

Dying isn’t about the disease a person has. It is about the emotional, communal response to the person dying from the disease. It doesn’t require medical intervention. It requires comfort...

 We teach that taking care of someone as the end of life approaches is different than taking care of someone who is going to get better. We teach, we support...

Getting the word to caregivers that there is such a thing as a support group may be challenging. You might talk with church groups, case managers, hospital discharge planners, and...

I want to clarify my thoughts about hospice in today’s environment...  

I often get the question, "How do I start an end of life discussion? How do I get my family to talk about what they want their dying to be...

With gradual dying from disease or old age, nutrition, what and how much you eat, is the key to quality of living. Over a period of months with disease and...

There is nothing medical about brushing your teeth, rinsing your mouth or moistening the inside of your mouth. We do it all the time. Why would it be suddenly considered a...

When the doctor says, “We have tried everything and the treatments are not working to eliminate the disease progression;” “Let’s talk about how you can best live your life from this point...

Part of the specialness of doing your own service/celebration of his life is the planning. The gathering of those who loved him gathered together deciding how to celebrate his love and life...