Hospice programs unquestionably return the attention to relationships, emphasizing the importance of reestablishing, strengthening, and reviving the bonds that make life genuinely worthwhile.

An estimated 1.72 million people in the US have received hospice care in the previous year. That number includes the late President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, as many of us are aware. The former first lady tragically passed away shortly before Thanksgiving, but 99-year-old President Carter is still receiving hospice care at his Plains, Georgia, home.

The fact that Carter started receiving hospice care in February 2023—a full 10 months ago—shortly after the recurrence of a life-threatening malignancy sets his case apart from most others. While many individuals and families view hospice services as a “last resort,” it’s clear the Carters viewed it for what it is: a way to help people live as fully as they can as long as they are able.

If I had the power to alter just one aspect of the general public’s perception of hospice services, it would be that the word “hospice” is frequently dreaded due to its association with “death sentence.” Hospice care is actually not about losing hope. It’s about optimizing life satisfaction according to personal preferences and frequently involves assisting family members in reverting from caregiving roles to those of a spouse or child. The comment we hear most often from the families we serve is “We should have called you guys sooner.”