“Does morphine mean the end is near?” This is one of the most common concerns I hear from patients and families. The word morphine can be frightening. Some caregivers associate it with addiction, heavy sedation, or the final hours of life. Others worry that giving morphine might make their loved one die sooner. Understanding what…

One of the hardest questions families ask me is: “If Mom stops eating, shouldn’t we put in a feeding tube?” It’s a question rooted in love. For most of our lives, food has been how we care for one another. We celebrate with food. We comfort with food. We show love with food. So when…

One of the questions families ask me most often is, “Can they still hear me?” My answer is always the same. Talk to them anyway. Over the years, I have sat beside many patients during their final hours. Again and again, I have watched families struggle with what to say. Some stop talking altogether because…