What happens when the law gives you a choice, just not the one you need? For Americans living with illnesses like dementia, ALS, or advanced heart failure, medical aid in dying is often out of reach. Even in states where it’s legal, strict rules limit access to those who are both terminal and fully capable of making and carrying out the request. Many never meet both requirements at the same time.  As a result, some families turn to the only option left: leaving the country.  Switzerland is...

What you can do now to help your loved ones avoid probate later* Many people believe they have their affairs in order. They may have a will, or they may assume accounts will be transferred to the right people without any trouble. It seems straightforward. Then the family discovers that a few details were missed. In my work as an end-of-life doula, I see how quickly things can get complicated. Families arrive with a binder of papers. As we go through it, small gaps show up. Maybe a bank...

When a child dies, the focus is often on the individual grief of each parent. But what’s frequently left out is how that grief affects the relationship between them.  You’re both in pain, but how you cope might look completely different. One person might want to talk. The other might shut down. One might need distractions, while the other sits in the pain.  Even in the same house, grief can feel isolating.  It’s not easy to stay connected when you’re both hurting. But understanding how grief...