What Matters? Don’t Let Health Care Get in the Way

(Editor’s note: This content is provided by The John A. Hartford Foundation, a Next Avenue sponsor.) When it comes to health care, what matters varies from person to person and differs depending on your state of health or illness. For one person, it mi… Continue reading

When a Dog Makes a Difference at the End of Life

Even on the darkest of days, seeing a photo of Bailey, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever, can bring a smile to  your face. Her owner, Holly Parker of Chanhassen, Minn., realized early on that her dog was special. After going through obedience classes with … Continue reading

What Nora Ephron Can Teach Us About Planning a Funeral

In June 2012, Meryl Streep gave one of her finest performances to a limited crowd. She hadn’t had much time to prepare, but it was a role that had been planned for her months, if not years, earlier. It’s just that the planner hadn’t thought to tell her… Continue reading

End-of-Life Rallies: Miraculous and Deceiving

(Editor’s note: This story is part of a special report for The John A. Hartford Foundation.) If you have a loved one in hospice, you may dream of having one final conversation or connection with him or her. For many, that wish becomes a reality, but it… Continue reading