Benjamin Franklin once said “(n)othing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Today (April 16) is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day for health care decision planning. And, in keeping with Franklin’s famous quote, each year National Healthcare Decisions Day is observed the day after Tax Day. National Healthcare Decisions Day is […]
Virginia and Washington, DC Both Earn ‘A’ on National Palliative Care Report Card
Dear Magic, I recently read that the state of Virginia and Washington, DC both received an ‘A’ grade for their palliative care offerings. Can you explain the difference between palliative care, hospice care, and end-of-life care? Thanks for your help! Palli Attive — Dear Palli, End-of-life care is the term used to describe the support […]
Is Hospice Care Free-of-Charge?
Q. I recently read an article about Valerie Harper, an actress from the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Rhoda,” who is dying of cancer. Her husband of 40 years, Tony Cacciotti, announced that doctors have recommended hospice care, which is typically offered at end of life, but he declined to take doctor’s advice. He […]