Life Before Death: The Growing Use Of Death Doulas
April 24, 2024
None of us leaves this world alive, and as Dame Cicely Saunders once said, “How people die remains in the memory of those who live on.” We are therefore fortunate to live in an era when the option of having a “death doula” has become more commonplace in helping individuals…
The Living End: The Hospice Model Of Jimmy Carter
February 21, 2024
One year ago, President Jimmy Carter made the important decision to transfer to hospice care, rather than continue the cycle of intermittent acute-care hospitalizations that kept him away from home and apart from his dear wife Rosalynn. Not only was this a highly personal decision for him and his family,…
Learning Death Literacy: Getting Comfortable About Life’s End
November 29, 2023
For such a universal experience, it’s somewhat shocking that so many of us know so little about what actually happens as death approaches. Most of us have been raised in an era and environment where death happens in a facility or setting apart from everyday life, and frequently those in…
The End Of Days: Ceremonies And Costs At Life’s End
October 11, 2023
While death is universal, how one’s life draws to a close and is commemorated is often very individualistic. Some refuse to plan or consider what should happen while others hope to script their funeral down to the music played, the images shown and the speakers selected to give eulogies. And…
Photo Shoot: Visual Images Of Aging and Caregiving
August 23, 2023
No doubt you’ve heard the phrase “A picture’s worth 1,000 words.” When it comes to photographs documenting what it’s like to be in the throws of dementia (or a caregiver of a person living with dementia) or to be a long-married couple living your final days, the images captured by…
According To Plan: For Yourself And Your Loved Ones, Plan Your Care In Advance
April 12, 2023
It’s never easy to discuss what happens if you or a loved one should become seriously ill. It’s only human nature that we would prefer not to discuss our own possible death or the potential loss of a loved one. But as you’ve likely experienced from those who have previously…