We’ve all heard trending news reports in recent years about America’s aging population and the state of our healthcare system. Ten thousand baby boomers in the U.S. turn 65 every day – a rapidly growing population expected to reach 73 million Americans by 2030.
Three-year-old Lucy McCabe has been working on her somersault. The Philadelphia-area toddler is following in the footsteps of her big sister Molly. Six-year-old Molly has been a cheerleader for three years. She has already learned how to do a cartwheel and back walkover, and she enjoys showing her little sister the ropes.
At their most basic, goals-of-care conversations are a necessary tool in gathering information about our patient’s healthcare wishes. But when they’re done right, they tell us so much more and open up the door to trust and true communication.
As loved ones age, family members often find themselves assuming a new role as caregiver. It’s a role they juggle alongside other responsibilities including their career, personal relationships, and caring for their own children.
One of the fundamental beliefs of Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care is that no one should die alone. When a patient begins to show signs and symptoms that death is approaching, our team begins what we call Evenmore Care. A staff member sits beside to support the patient and their family until they pass away.
Across America, students are returning to school as summer fades to a distant memory. And many of them will be thinking about volunteering this school year. The Corporation for National & Community Service, the federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in volunteer service and grant-making, reported that in 2015, 25.7 percent of college students volunteered, delivering 286 million hours of service with a value of $6.7 billion.
