When looking for a hospice provider for a loved one, it’s important to remember that not all providers are created equal. While almost all are Medicare-certified, they can differ in how, where and when they provide services for your loved one and your family.

Masonic Village Hospice now offers a Palliative Care, which combines medical, pharmaceutical, dietetic, social work, spiritual and other integrative therapies to provide comfort and quality of life for patients and families when dealing with a life-limiting illness.

Even with all the preparation in the world, being present for a loved one’s passing is not always comfortable or predictable. It can be physically and mentally exhausting, as it typically involves a great deal of emotions, including anxiety and worry. Being present during a loved one’s passing, however, can also bring peace to both the individual and family members.

It’s difficult to think about, but a day may come when you won’t be able to make decisions for yourself. That’s when you’ll need someone to step in to manage your finances or decide what type of medical treatment

While it may be difficult to think about the end of your life and how you want to be cared for during a medical emergency or terminal illness, being prepared for future health complications with tools such as an advance directive can help identify important decisions that you and your loved ones have to make.

At the end of life, it’s important to address not only a person’s physical comfort and daily care, but also their emotional and spiritual needs.

We often think of grief only as it relates to our feelings after someone has died. In reality, there are many symptoms of grief that we experience emotionally, cognitively, physically, socially and spiritually.

After an unexpected, life-altering diagnosis, families’ feelings of hope and acceptance can turn to feelings of despair and denial. These feelings may change day-to-day as a loved one's health changes.