6 Comments

Well written. A childhood friend’s mother passed this week and had been in hospice care in my friend’s home. My friend described the hospice staff as “light itself” in helping care for her mother. I know I was quite appreciative of the care my own mother a few years ago even though she said it was “a hard pill to swallow” to be told she was in need of hospice care. I could never convince her that it didn’t mean she wouldn’t get taken care of, she insisted we were “pulling the plug “ in her more lucid moments. (She had severe dementia and a litany of medical issues...) Those folks who work in that field are called indeed.

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As a physician board-certified in EM in and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, I want to thank you for using your platform to highlight this incredible, essential, and grossly misunderstood and underutilized medical benefit. Your comments are right on the money and properly contextualize hospice care. Unfortunately, far too many people wait too long (and suffer unnecessarily) to avail themselves of all the services hospice can provide. Bravo, Ed!

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Having worked briefly with hospice, this is spot on. It was an honor to care for patient's on every level of hospice need. On a side note, your great aunt sounds like someone I want to be when I grow up. lol

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Beautifully written and an excellent explanation of what hospice can provide for the patient and family. Thanks so much.

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Well written, and important for everyone to know.

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Thanks for this post. I'm a hospital chaplain and encounter many people who are confused about what hospice means. The same is true for Palliative Care. Your writing can help dispel some of the myths, a much neeed public service!

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