If someone offered you a job caring for people who were sick and dying, would you take that job? What if it was understood that you couldn't see these people in person, you couldn’t touch them, you had to isolate them from their families, and they might make you sick or even kill you?
In a perfect world, our loved ones would pass away quietly, surrounded by those who mean the most to them. Unfortunately, this is not always possible due to restrictions on visitors or physical distance. In these cases, we can say goodbye to a dying loved one over the phone.
The theme for Spring 2020 is “we’re all in this together.” I have been pondering what “this” is. “This” is not a virus that kills people. That’s not what we’re all in together.
It's impossible to ignore the way COVID-19 has impacted our daily lives. All around the world, people are practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus — especially to the elderly and the immunocompromised who are at the highest risk.
Conversations around death have long been taboo in America. No one wants to talk about a loved one’s death, let alone their own. But death is inevitable, and author Barbara Coombs Lee wants us to use that knowledge to prepare properly. Her new book Finish Strong: Putting Your Priorities First at Life’s End challenges readers to live true to their values to the very end.
Hospice volunteering is a deeply meaningful experience for many. Motivated by a genuine desire to bring comfort, peace, and care at the end of life, hospice volunteers can have a tremendous impact on the lives of patients and their families.
