Erica Manfred, 80, suffers from lung cancer and COPD. She lives alone, about 1,500 miles away from her only living relative – her daughter. Her friends are all older too, and have their own health concerns, so it would be a last resort to have to bother them for anything. If she fell, she was […]
Jimmy Carter Enters Hospice Care — What That Really Means!
Former US President Jimmy Carter, 98, is both the oldest living and longest-lived US president. Recently, after a series of short hospital stays, he announced that he will spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention. Jimmy Carter held office from 1977 to 1981 as […]
“Hospice Nurse Julie” Dispels Myths about Death and Dying to Over a Million Followers on TikTok
Julie McFadden is a TikTok-famous hospice nurse with 1.1 million followers. She loves her job because she helps people find peace in death, and she uses her social media presence to share her knowledge on the subject. Julie has also appeared in articles by Newsweek, People magazine, and many other magazines, newspapers, and podcasts. According […]
Hospice is Not a Death Sentence: What Happens When Someone Graduates from Hospice?
U.S. Army veteran, Iwao Nagata, was under hospice care for a year. At 94, he couldn’t remember conversations, his legs started getting weak, and he started falling frequently. Things went downhill fast for Iwao. He was frustrated, confused, and wasn’t eating. He became frail, constantly dizzy, couldn’t sit up, and lost his will. Fit all […]
Does Morphine Hasten Death?
Q. My mother is 82 and has dementia. Her condition has gotten worse and hospice has been suggested. I have heard that hospice often involves administering morphine to the patient to make them more comfortable. Does morphine hasten death? I want my mother to be comfortable, but I have heard stories about it from friends […]
Hospice and Palliative Care are Essentially the Same Thing—Why is Hospice Covered While Palliative Care Is Not?
Q. I recently read about hospice and palliative care and now I’m thoroughly confused. They sound like exactly the same thing, but offered at different times. Why is hospice covered by Medicare and Medicaid, when palliative care is typically not? Thanks for your help! A. People often confuse palliative care with hospice care, and the […]
Do Veterans Benefits Cover Hospice and Palliative Care?
Dear Oakley, My uncle, who is a U.S. Navy veteran, has a chronic illness. His family is considering hospice or palliative care. I am wondering if either of these are covered by the VA. Thanks for your help! Pali Attive —- Dear Pali, Many veterans are unaware of the hospice and palliative care benefits offered […]
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 […]
Fospice Care for Senior Pets in Fairfax
Dear Angel, I know when humans are in their last months of life, their families may opt for hospice care. What happens to animals in their last months of life if they don’t have a loving home? Karen Forpetz — Dear Karen, Some pets may be elderly with cancer, limited mobility, or no teeth, but […]
What is the Difference Between Hospice and Palliative Care?
Penny’s father was being discharged from the hospital after his latest fainting spell from low blood pressure. Having suffered from Parkinson’s for more than 20 years, he regressed during his stay, and he was having serious trouble swallowing. The discharge nurse came into the room to talk to Penny and her mother about him, suggesting […]
The Ugly Side of Hospice Care
Q. My mother is ready to transition to hospice care. She has very advanced dementia, severe arthritis, and is immobile. With all of the assistance that she needs, we can no longer care for her in my home, even with the help of nurses and aides, and we probably should have transitioned her to a […]
Many Hospice Workers Lack Their Own End-of-Life Directives
Dear Bebe, Hospice workers come into contact with people who are dying every day. I read recently that many of them don’t even have their own advance medical directives. Is this true? Seems like a no-brainer to me! Noah Directivs-Ovtherown — Dear Noah, What you read is correct. Many hospice care workers, who deal with […]
Hospice Care for Healthier Patients. . . Something Isn’t Right!
Linda Rodgers was shocked to see her father in so much pain when she visited him at his hospice facility. In a letter she wrote to the editor of USA Today, she described how her father had his pain controlled by medication while in the hospital, before admission to hospice, but was in severe pain […]
Hospice Care For Mom? But, She Isn’t Dying.
Q. My mother, Roxanne, 76, has suffered from lung disease for ten years. She still has her wits about her, and spends her days knitting, reading historical novels, and sipping tea. Recently, her doctor recommended hospice care, and I was perplexed by his recommendation. She has been living fine for a decade with her lung […]