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Advance care planning addresses the health care you would want to receive in a medical crisis – based on your values, preferences, and conversations with your loved ones.

The well-being and safety of our clients and patients is our highest priority.

You may already know what kind of healthcare you would like to receive when you reach the later years of your life. But, to ensure that your future healthcare wishes are followed, one of the most [...]

It takes a very special HABIC team to visit in a hospice setting. One such team is Susie Davis and her Golden Retriever, Gracie. Susie and Gracie have been volunteering at The Denver Hospice [...]

Even though hospice care has been available in the U.S. for nearly 50 years there are still many misperceptions about hospice that are common in our society. One of the most unfortunate of these [...]

Our centrally located building has 24 private suites with patios. The homelike setting includes amenities like a family dining room, day rooms, a multi-faith chapel, library and hydro-therapy spa.

The Denver Hospice sets the standard for providing peace and comfort to patients navigating their end-of-life journey.

The modern hospice movement began in the post-World War II era with the vision of Dr. Cicely Saunders, who recognized a need for compassionate care of the dying that maintained the patient’s [...]

Seeing a loved one lose a spouse is difficult no matter what. You have your own grief to process, as well as theirs. When the surviving spouse has Alzheimer’s, however, the experience can be much [...]

If you have a loved one nearing the end of life you may be considering working with a hospice in the future, which is a very good choice. Studies have shown that patients who receive care from [...]

Are you ambivalent? Most likely, your answer to this question is YES. There are certain subjects, events, and even people that can cause this feeling to rise up within us. I imagine a definition [...]

Most caregivers who are transitioning a loved one into hospice care are doing so for the very first time. Not only do many caregivers lack experience with such a move, but rational thinking and [...]

For those adult children who are providing care to their aging parents, talking about end-of-life issues can be a daunting prospect. The oldest members of our society have lived through a time [...]

How do we express our grief? Personal grief and work grief needs to be expressed – appropriately. As humans, we experience an enormous amount of grief – ours, our colleagues, our [...]

Medicare does pay for hospice care; so, if you or a family member need hospice, you can be confident in Medicare coverage. Now, Medicare doesn’t pay 100% and there are some services they [...]

Christopher Gray was a devoted husband who wanted his wife Lily to have the best care available when she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. However she spent all but the last week of her life [...]

Baby boomers changed the way Americans think about work and leisure, and they’re changing the way seniors look at the end of life. As the need for help with daily routines and health needs [...]

“I’m glad their suffering is over. They are at peace”. These two emojis communicate different expressions. The first emoji seems to be happy – accepting of life. But the emoji that’s bandaged has [...]

When you turn 65, you have a lot of choices to make. Whether you want to retire … Where to travel when you do … One big decision that can’t wait is how you will pay for your healthcare as you [...]

Some of the most intimate aspects of a person’s identity are reflected in their personal belongings. A baseball cap, a favorite fragrance, a collection of toy dinosaurs can instantly evoke the [...]

Roughly 1.6 million people receive hospice care each year in the US, Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals. And all those patients have one thing in common: birthdays!

What comes to your mind when you hear the word legacy? Often times we equate legacy with money or an inheritance. But it can mean so much more than that…I’m thinking more of definition number 2.

The concept of all adults-from the age of 18 and up, having an end of life conversation with their family and loved ones is difficult for many. Most often, end of life conversations happen in a [...]

It feels to me like I was just making resolutions a few months ago. Has it really been 12 months? Yes, unbelievably it has. Another year has passed. The older I get the faster time trickles down [...]

When a loved one enters into hospice care at the end of life, family members can feel a bit overwhelmed as they try to offer help in a situation they’ve never experienced before. Most of us [...]

When a loved one has died, it is common for children in the family to have more nightmares, and feel more fear of scary things that go “bump!” in the night. Here are some ideas for helping your [...]

When I was caring for my mother during the last days of her life we received a call from the hospice chaplain who wanted to schedule a visit. But Mom refused, saying she didn’t need a chaplain [...]

Guest Blog: Gail Nickels, SW Denver Reiki and volunteer at The Denver Hospice Did you know that we teach both Reiki I and Reiki II for The Denver Hospice? I have been a Reiki Master/Teacher for [...]

Guest Blog: Matt Harrison, Volunteer While volunteering for The Denver Hospice, I was assigned a gentleman at a facility a couple years ago. He was a very successful businessman but he [...]

Guest Blog: The Courage Expert Sandra Ford Walston Working as a hospice volunteer for seven years, I’ve witnessed a variety of outcomes during a patient’s final moments, commonly referred to as [...]

There has been a push in recent years for adults 18 and over to create an advance directive to tell their loved ones what type of care they would like to receive at the end of life. This advance [...]

Guest Blog: Tarron Estes, Founder of the Conscious Dying Institute When I look back on how I came to teach “Sacred Passage: End of Life Doula” education, I see a beautiful pattern of connections [...]

If you have been caring for a loved one with life-limiting illness who has chosen or been advised to stop treatment for that illness you may be considering hospice care as an alternative. Hospice [...]

The first time I visited our hospice patient Ben, a 68-year-old man with cancer, I noticed that he was reluctant to talk to me about his physical symptoms. He denied having any pain even though [...]

When my mother was diagnosed with biliary cancer at the age of 89 it was relatively easy to choose our next steps because I had worked as a hospice physician for many years and understood the [...]

Guest Blog: Katie Ortman, blogger A couple years after my mom died, I had a very vivid dream where she descended from the sky in a hot air balloon. I ran to the basket and she said, “Katie, know [...]

Guest Blog: Katie Ortman, blogger Two topics often overlooked in estate planning are beneficiaries and belongings. Beneficiary designations are separate contracts and are not subject to the terms [...]

Guest Blog: Katie Ortman, blogger My lawyer/friend Julia recommends that people think about estate planning holistically and consider ensuring that they have a Will, Living Will, and Powers of [...]

Guest Blog: Katie Ortman, blogger My dad designed an Advance Directive form thirty years ago for his patients. It is one page. It states things like, “If I have a terminal condition, in general, [...]

Guest Blog: Katie Ortman, blogger For every other 30-something year-old I know, the hypothetical scenarios of getting your affairs in order are just that. Very hypothetical. But whatever age you [...]

Let’s face it: if you’re human you have most likely experienced a fear of death at one time or another in your life – or else you may have been in complete denial of your fear and repressing it. [...]

When it was time for Doris, an 85-year old woman with biliary cancer, to be discharged from the hospital, her physician suggested to her and her family that she be admitted to hospice care. But [...]

With a shared vision for honoring and preserving the legacies of U.S. military veterans, The Denver Hospice and FOX31 are proud to announce a new community partnership focused on sharing [...]

When Gail and Gloria admitted their elderly mother to hospice as she neared the end of her life, they mentioned that they had a younger brother who had been estranged from the family for the past [...]

Did you know Colorado is home to more than 400,000 military veterans? In fact, one in ten Colorado residents has served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Most veterans are older than 65 and more than [...]

Choosing a person to make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to speak for yourself is one of the most important steps you can take for your future wellbeing. That person will stand up [...]

When my niece died in hospice in another city this summer I was unable to travel there to say goodbye before her death. I was crushed that I didn’t have one last opportunity to hold her hand and [...]

A terminal diagnosis can be overwhelming for patients and families for a host of reasons. In addition to the emotional devastation of anticipating your loss, you probably have a variety of [...]

Over the last several years, volunteers and staff from The Denver Hospice have come together to celebrate the Holidays with the patients and families we serve. We are thrilled to share that this [...]

Each winter for the past 18 years, students at Campus Middle School take a break from their holiday wish list to give back to their community. The school’s annual snowflake drive offers an [...]

For almost 40 years, The Denver Hospice and Optio Health Services have led the way in providing top-notch comfort and care to those in our community facing a terminal illness. Part of our [...]

Nearly one-third of patients served by The Denver Hospice are U.S. military veterans. To highlight the contributions of all service men and women, The Denver Hospice has announced its 2018 [...]

“Veterans in hospice care know what it means to sacrifice and to serve. As a volunteer, I’m here to listen if they want to tell their story. Sometimes that can be very meaningful for them, but I [...]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXC6OTQjeUc[/embedyt] November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and for the second straight year, The Denver Hospice is recognizing military [...]

The Denver Hospice is pleased to announce that Feedspot has named our blog, Chronicles of Care, a Top 25 Palliative Care Blog and Website on the Web. All of the blogs are ranked based on [...]

When my mother reached the end of her life she had only two requests: that she be able to die in her own home and that I be by her side. But I knew as well that it would be very important for her [...]

I’m writing to share my story about why The Denver Hospice is so special and to demystify and encourage others to look into art or music therapy because it has meant the world to me.

Statistics show that when people talk about their healthcare wishes long before they reach the end of life, they receive less unnecessary and expensive care when they are dying. An excellent [...]

Recently there has been a growing focus for individuals in our society to look at their hopes and desires for the end-of-life and put those wishes into writing. The Five Wishes document and The [...]

As a hospice doctor I have often worked with families caring for a dying loved one at home. But I have only once had the opportunity to switch places and be the caregiver myself when my mother [...]

One of the most important conversations you can have with your loved ones is to share your thoughts and feelings about the end of your life. The people closest to you need to know what you want [...]

As a hospice physician who has cared for thousands of patients at the end of their lives, I had always assumed that hospice care would be an obvious choice for my mother when it came time for her [...]

When you think of the word hospice, what comes to mind? You may feel uncomfortable if you associate it with death. You may feel grateful if someone you love has received hospice care. You may [...]

Losing a child is a parent’s worst nightmare. Terry Hoag never saw it coming. He had enjoyed a successful career as a human resource executive and, more recently, as an artisan. But no role will [...]

After 34 years as a nurse with The Denver Hospice, Eileen Howerzyl is retiring. She leaves knowing her work has helped countless families navigate one of life’s most challenging passages. She [...]

For 12 years, Sheri and Gene were unstoppable. Gene built a successful career as a senior officer at a Fortune 500 company before retiring at age 60. The couple traveled the world’s most [...]

Roger West, a recent patient with The Denver Hospice, left a living legacy — he opened the Colorado wilderness to those with disabilities, their families and caregivers. After his father had lost [...]

Valentine’s Day will be a bit sweeter for 4,000 Denver-area seniors this year, as volunteers spread across the Denver Metro area handing out roses and smiles to elders.

January is a time to reflect on the past year and anticipate opportunities ahead. It’s a time to celebrate success and set goals. But as we look back on our success, it would be misleading to say [...]

Sitting in her wheelchair, Florence smiles up at Felicia as she carefully paints Florence’s nails with shimmering gold polish. Felicia then gently applies a light coat of lipstick to finish the [...]

If you’ve come across Susan Langley in your lifetime, you wouldn’t forget her. Or, as she likes to put it, “My voice will be in your head.” Having worked at The Denver Hospice for 22 [...]

The Denver Hospice is the grateful recipient of a challenge gift from New West Physicians! New West Physicians has generously pledged to donate $45,000 to The Denver Hospice on Colorado Gives Day [...]

Col. John Glenn ended his eulogy for fellow astronaut Scott Carpenter with a phrase by quoting Carpenter’s own 1962 benediction for Glenn as he entered space aboard Friendship 7.

When he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, Cornelius (Neil) Jones Sr. initially reluctant to go overseas. Being the family man that he was, he did not want to leave his wife, who at [...]

CareGiving 2016 celebrates National Hospice and Palliative Care month in November, and culminates on Colorado Gives Day, an annual statewide movement on Dec. 6 to celebrate and increase [...]

Sue Miller is a survivor. Never mind that she’s marked her 82nd birthday and is now in the care of The Denver Hospice, this former model, author and breast cancer survivor could not be more [...]

It was at last winter’s solstice that Sharon Connell had one of her most cherished wishes granted: she saw the sun as few on the planet will ever see it. But her view from the snow-edged patio at [...]

Terry and his wife were visiting their son in Denver when the bad news arrived. “It was a Wednesday,” he recalls, “and I was sitting in the living room when Pete walked in, threw some MRIs down [...]