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Health & Disease Education
Understanding a serious illness can feel overwhelming. Our Health & Disease Education articles provide trusted information about chronic and terminal illnesses, aging, disease progression, and common health conditions to help patients, families, and caregivers navigate each stage with confidence.


Pain Management in Hospice: What Patients and Families Should Know
Pain can look different for everyone, especially during serious illness. Learn how pain management in hospice supports comfort and quality of life, signs of pain families can watch for, and free support resources available for people living with chronic pain.
Alicia Kimmel
6 days ago7 min read


What Are the Seven Stages of Dementia? Understanding How Dementia Progresses
Learn the seven stages of dementia, from no cognitive decline to very severe dementia, including common symptoms, changes families may notice, and what to expect as dementia progresses.
Alicia Kimmel
Sep 29 min read


What Is the Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s?
Learn the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, including common types of dementia, symptoms, progression, and when families may consider hospice care.
Alicia Kimmel
Aug 318 min read


Why Chronic Illness Often Comes With Anxiety and Depression
Chronic illness affects more than physical health. Learn why anxiety and depression are common with long-term illness, what signs to watch for, and how families can provide meaningful support.
Alicia Kimmel
Aug 289 min read


What Is Transitioning in Hospice? Signs Your Loved One May Be Nearing the End of Life
What does transitioning in hospice mean? Learn the common signs of transitioning, what families may notice, how long it can last, and how hospice helps provide comfort and support.
Alicia Kimmel
Aug 2610 min read


Terminal Secretions at End of Life: What Families Need to Know
Terminal secretions at end of life can sound frightening, but they are a common part of the dying process. Learn what causes noisy or rattling breathing, whether it means your loved one is suffering, and how hospice can help provide comfort.
Alicia Kimmel
Aug 199 min read


How to Know When It's No Longer Safe for a Loved One to Live Alone
How do you know when it’s no longer safe for a loved one to live alone? Learn the warning signs to watch for, from falls and medication mistakes to memory changes, weight loss, and difficulty managing everyday tasks.
Alicia Kimmel
Aug 1411 min read


Terminal Restlessness: Why Some Patients Become Agitated Near the End of Life
Terminal restlessness, also known as terminal agitation or terminal delirium, can occur during the final days or hours of life. Learn the common signs, possible causes, how hospice manages symptoms, and what families can do to provide comfort during this stage of the end-of-life journey.
Alicia Kimmel
Aug 56 min read


Lung Cancer Resources for Patients and Caregivers: Trusted Organizations That Can Help
Discover trusted lung cancer resources for patients and caregivers, including free education, support groups, financial assistance, patient navigation, and caregiver support from leading national organizations. Learn where to find help, hope, and reliable information after a lung cancer diagnosis.
Alicia Kimmel
Aug 36 min read


Why Do Hands and Feet Become Cold Near the End of Life?
Wondering why your loved one's hands and feet become cold near the end of life? Learn what causes this common physical change, whether it means death is near, and how hospice helps keep patients comfortable while supporting families through the dying process.
Alicia Kimmel
Jul 316 min read


Should I Wake My Loved One to Eat or Take Medication? A Guide for Families
When a loved one with a serious illness begins sleeping more, families often wonder whether they should wake them to eat or take medication. Learn when it may be best to let them rest, when medications require special attention, and when to contact the healthcare or hospice team for guidance.
Alicia Kimmel
Jul 2010 min read


How Long Does My Loved One Have to Live? Understanding Why No One Can Predict Exactly
One of the most difficult questions families ask is, "How long does my loved one have to live?" Learn why doctors cannot predict exact timelines, what influences prognosis, and how hospice focuses on quality of life rather than the calendar.
Alicia Kimmel
Jul 157 min read


Why Does Breathing Slow Down at the End of Life?
Why does breathing slow down at the end of life? Learn why this common change happens, what families can expect, and how hospice helps keep patients comfortable during the final stages of life.
Alicia Kimmel
Jul 136 min read


How to Tell the Difference Between a Bad Day and a Sign an Illness Is Progressing
Wondering whether your loved one is simply having a bad day or if their illness is progressing? Learn the common signs of disease progression, when temporary changes are normal, when to call the doctor, and how to recognize when additional support or hospice may be appropriate.
Alicia Kimmel
Jul 106 min read


What Are the First Signs of Dementia? Early Warning Signs Families Should Never Ignore
Learn the first signs of dementia, including memory loss, confusion, and changes in thinking. Discover 10 early warning signs and when it's time to seek medical evaluation.
Alicia Kimmel
Jul 36 min read


What Does "Active Dying" Really Mean? Understanding the Final Stage of Life
Learn what active dying really means, the common signs to expect, how hospice provides comfort during the final stage of life, and what families can do to support their loved one with compassion and confidence.
Alicia Kimmel
Jul 16 min read


The Hidden Grief of Chronic Illness: Mourning the Life You Expected
Chronic illness affects more than physical health. Many individuals experience grief as they mourn lost abilities, changing roles, and future plans. Learn how to recognize and cope with the hidden grief of chronic illness.
Alicia Kimmel
Jun 295 min read


Why Is My Elderly Parent Losing Weight? Common Causes and When to Seek Help
Unexplained weight loss in older adults can signal underlying health concerns. Learn the common causes, warning signs, and when to seek medical care or hospice support.
Alicia Kimmel
Jun 266 min read


Why Friends Sometimes Disappear After a Chronic Illness Diagnosis
Many people living with chronic illness experience unexpected changes in friendships after diagnosis. Learn why some friends become distant, how to cope with the loss, and ways to build a strong support system moving forward.
Alicia Kimmel
Jun 245 min read


What Does Failure to Thrive Mean and When Is Hospice Appropriate?
Learn what failure to thrive means in older adults, common symptoms and causes, and when hospice care may be appropriate for patients experiencing significant decline.
Alicia Kimmel
Jun 155 min read
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