"It was the richest period of my life"
Mom died on January 16th, two months and one week after being diagnosed with a terminal cancer. We often talked of Joanne Lynn’s phrase “the blessing of a thoroughly dismal prognosis”. She referred to that blessing almost daily. Mom described this as being the richest period of her life. She determined what she would do […]
Question for Hospice Nurses and caregivers – What do you think?
This morning I received this question from my favorite Danish cousin. I am wondering whether being a hospice nurse prepares one for the goodbyes and final loss of a parent? What do you think? Kath
Why do patients often deviate from their advance directives?
Today, I read of a study where 189 patients were followed over a two year period, and where the researchers found that nearly half of the patients were inconsistent with their wishes about treatment. “Why do patients often deviate from their advance directives? They do so because they cannot accurately imagine what they will want […]
When to talk with dying people about dying, and how to start the conversation.
Some dying people do not want to talk about their dying. Sometimes it is the family that does not want to talk about dying. Elizabeth Causton, Social Worker and retired counsellor with Victoria Hospice has suggestions for how you can help family members to clarify their needs and to help them to ensure that they […]
