In truth, I didn’t know that George Mark Children’s House existed before a friend told me about it. When I visited, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I thought maybe a medical facility that felt a little less clinical. To my delight, the house was nothing like the cold, medical facilities I am used to visiting. There were hand-painted murals in each room. A family suite with a kitchen and enough beds for everyone to stay close. A warm living room with actual games, not just for s

When I was a hospice volunteer, I often walked into patient homes that were utterly silent. No music, no TV, no one reading aloud. Just a loved one who was just staring at the wall. It always struck me how quiet and disconnected those moments felt. Now, in my work with people nearing the end of life, one of the first things I ask is, “What music would you like to hear during your final days?” Their answer is usually immediate and full of joy. And the music ranges from favorit

Some parents walk a well-worn path. There are timelines and protocols to follow. But for others, like Dr. Tasha Faruqui, the path...

Hospice - it’s a word that stops people. Especially when it involves children. It’s a concept that feels too big, too final, and too...

When Sandy Chen Stokes visited her father in Taiwan, he was already in the ICU—hooked up to machines, unresponsive, and unable to speak...

When a loved one enters hospice care, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and scared. What does it mean when someone is in hospice?  Does it...

When it comes to the end of life, compassionate care is essential. Yet, many people don’t have equal access to the hospice services they...

Caring for a seriously ill child is a journey no parent ever expects to take. Yet, within this heartbreaking challenge lies an...

When facing the end of life, many people aren’t aware of the partnership between hospice teams and death doulas. You might be wondering,...