The Last Christmas I am reflecting this Christmas Eve on the people my hospice serves. Most of our patients are celebrating the last Christmas they will ever have. Families are […]
What is Palliative Care?
In presentations, I always describe ‘palliative care’ as a ‘fifty-dollar word for comfort care’’. In truth, it means so much more, and I’m not sure I can do it justice. […]
Futile Care and Advance Directives
Futile Health Care The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ‘futile’ as ‘having no result or effect; pointless or useless’. On a rainy day in November, after a week of early winter snow […]
Hospice & Suffering at the End of Life: The Brittany Maynard Story
Brittany Maynard Brittany Maynard was 29 years old when she died. On November 1, 2014, she took a lethal dose of medication with the intention of ending her life. She […]
Does Grief Have a Purpose?
Receiving the bad news Years ago, on September 5th, I got the call just before 10 p.m. My friend and skydiving instructor Dennis had been killed in an ultralight accident […]