Tag Archives: Hospice Care



A Few More Days of Purpose

After a career in nursing, Martha Keochareon spent her last days teaching nursing students how to care for cancer patients in palliative treatment

Sometimes people donate their bodies to science after death, but Martha Keochareon had offered herself as an instructional tool during her last two months of life. In November of 2013, Ms. Keochareon called Kelly Keane, a counselor at Holyoke Community College … Continue reading

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Easing into the End of Life

Where does the US stand on the subject of death, dying and comprehensive end of life care?

People like to know what’s ahead. Yet, life is unpredictable. Perhaps one of the reasons death, something natural and something we all share, is still tainted with fear. How do you plan and prepare for an experience filled with uncertainty? … Continue reading

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What is Palliative Care at a Veteran Hospital? An Interview with Dr. VJ Periyakoil

The VA Palo Alto Heath Care facility is a pioneer in providing services for Veterans who are dying

Today, SevenPonds speaks with Dr. VJ Periyakoil, an Associate Director of Palliative Care Service, VA Palo Alto Health Care System. Additionally, she is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and the Director of Stanford Palliative Care Education and … Continue reading

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Choosing to Die at Home – SevenPonds’ ongoing Pondering the Last Taboo talk

An informal chat with SevenPonds: Let's open the conversation on end-of-life!

We at SevenPonds would like to thank everyone who attended our first Pondering the Last Taboo talk. We had very open conversations about the topic of death, and simply had a wonderful time. Our event’s been featured in the local … Continue reading

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What is the Conversation Project? – An Interview with Martha Hayward

The Conversation Project seeks to share and encourage end-of-life discussion

Martha Hayward is the Lead for Public and Patient Engagement at the Conversation Project, a Boston-based non-profit “dedicated to helping people talk about their end-of-life wishes.” The Conversation Project offers conversation-starters, information resources, and a venue for users around the … Continue reading

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My Mother, Your Mother by Dennis McCullough, M.D.

A thorough look at the step-by-step process for the care of elder parents

My mother always told me, “When I get old, put me on an iceberg and leave me for the polar bears.”  I never once took her advice seriously, but after reading Dr. McCullough’s book, I’m starting to reconsider.  All joking … Continue reading

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