Thank you for this thoughtful article. I went through this with a mother and son 1 month apart. My aunt went with dignity but her doctor had to have that ‘end of life’ discussion before hand in order for her to make that decision. A great deal of paperwork but it was as all that you wrote. Her son, my cousin became very ill with reoccurring cancer. It was torturous and there was no communication from professionals in regards to the difference or options of assisted living hospice care and in hospital. The dictates of insurance coverage led to the medical direction of in hospital care another 35 miles from home community. I wish I was more informed but it never was disclosed as described here in the article. In the end the medication was given as stated but I was treated as a nuisance as I had to constantly request updates and options. There really weren’t any and my cousin wanted to fight (denial) and the end was unpleasant. My only peace was I can see I was the last person he saw as he transitioned away while being given something for his excruciating pain that I had to continuously beg for. I wish it would have been explained to me further.

I am keeping this article to share with my children as now their step-father is facing this fate.

It is never easy.

God bless you all in hospice compassion.