HopeHealth Blog
Stories of courage, compassion, hope, healing and support from our experts, caregivers, patients, families and loved ones.
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“What a privilege”: Reflections of a hospice nurse
In honor of Nurses Week, we spotlight our hospice nurse based in a Boston hospital. “So much love, so much meaning can happen in these end-of-life spaces,” she says.
“I hope I can pay this forward”: A hospice volunteer’s lasting impact
During his partner’s months on hospice, Bob often thought, “I hope I can pay this forward someday.” As a HopeHealth volunteer, he’s done just that.
Honoring a life: Remembrance items for a child who is seriously ill
Legacy-making activities honor your unbreakable bond with your child, and celebrate everything you love about them. If your child is seriously ill, these keepsakes take on special meaning.
Advice & support from Parkinson’s caregivers
If you’re caring for someone with Parkinson’s disease, a support group offers information for navigating the disease, and a safe space to share your experiences.
The power of compassion: A student volunteer’s journey with hospice
“No matter how dire things seem, you can always make a difference in someone’s life.” Here’s what one college student learned from hospice volunteering.
“This work has changed me”: Q&A with HopeHealth’s chief medical officer
In his 35 years at HopeHealth, Chief Medical Officer Edward W. Martin, MD, has changed this organization. And in return, it’s changed him. In this Q&A, he shares how.
What palliative care means for COPD and other lung diseases
For people living with a lung disease like COPD, palliative care means extra support for symptoms, and crucial information for the road ahead.
Checklist: What to look for in a hospice provider
Choosing a hospice provider can feel like an overwhelming decision. Here’s a list of what to ask about, based on recommendations from Consumer Reports and caregiver experience surveys.
From a dementia caregiver: 10 tips for self-care
When you’re caring for a loved one with dementia, how can you also find energy to take care of yourself? A dementia caregiver shares tips and examples.
A safe space, a trusted resource: Meet a hospice social worker
Social workers provide everything from emotional support to help with community and financial resources. Here’s how they fit into a hospice team.
What palliative care means for people living with heart failure
If you or a loved one is living with heart failure, you don’t have to go it alone. Palliative care helps with everything from everyday questions to long-term plans.
5 signs our Young Adult Grief Support Group may be right for you
Young people face unique challenges on their grief journey. HopeHealth’s Young Adult Grief Support Group, open to ages 18 to 35, offers a community who understands.
“Saying yes to pediatric hospice changed our lives”: Rogan’s story
To his family and care teams, 1-year-old Rogan was known as Superman. By sharing his experience with pediatric hospice, his parents hope he can help other kids with serious illness.
What palliative care means for people living with cancer
Palliative care is an extra layer of care — but for many people living with cancer, this “extra” is essential. Here’s why.
Finding the spark: The special calling of a hospice aide
In her eight years as a hospice aide, Darlene Morse has helped patients and families through their most vulnerable moments. “I feel honored to do this work,” she says.
What were the top 5 blogs of 2022?
HopeHealth shared stories of compassion and care through our blog in 2022. Here is a list of the top 5 stories our readers enjoyed.
“This is what life is about”: The legacy of a 90-year-old hospice volunteer
A 90-year-old hospice volunteer reflects on 22 years of writing patients’ life stories and comforting families after loss. “My life has been enriched beyond words,” she says.
5 benefits of adding pediatric hospice when your child is seriously ill
Pediatric patients can receive hospice services as an add-on to their other care, while still continuing treatments aimed at cure. Here’s why this extra layer of support is so important.
How (and why) to start a gratitude practice
By focusing on gratitude, you can improve your mood, your outlook and even your quality of life. But like any habit, it takes practice. Here’s how to get started.
“Dear Veteran”: A letter-writing campaign reaches veterans at the end of life
Student volunteers from Brown University have been sending thank-you letters to veterans at HopeHealth. Here’s what the letters mean to veterans, and to the students who write them.
On the road with a home care physical therapist
Home care physical therapy meets patients in the intimacy of home, tackling the specific challenges of the environment where they live. A physical therapist shares what it’s like.
Knocking on doors: How a silent monk became a hospice chaplain
Denis Lynch was a silent monk for 16 years. Today, he’s a hospice chaplain. Here’s how his path led to HopeHealth, and the lessons along the way.
7 common myths about palliative care
If you’re living with serious illness, palliative care can transform your life. But due to common myths, not enough patients understand how. Here’s what palliative care is — and isn’t.
Full circle: The inspiring journey of a volunteer turned patient
Over 12 years, volunteer Nancy Reiser shared many gifts with patients and families: compassion, a generous spirit, boundless energy. At the end of life, she made a final gift that will last forever.
Activities to prepare your child for the death of a loved one
Kids with a parent, sibling or loved one on hospice need help coping with anticipatory grief, and preparing for what’s ahead. These activities can help.
