Nov. 2, 2026
To the Editor:
If a serious illness or health crisis changed everything tomorrow, would your family know what matters most to you?
It’s a difficult question that many of us put off until we have no choice. Too often, families make important decisions in the middle of a crisis. Conversations that could have happened around a kitchen table are left for hospital rooms.
That’s why National Hospice and Palliative Care Month matters.
As families gather this holiday season, we have an opportunity to talk about our wishes, values and the kind of care we would want if our health changed. These conversations are not about preparing for death. They are about planning to live well, even in the face of serious illness.
Hospice remains one of the most misunderstood healthcare benefits. It is not about giving up hope. It is about redefining hope: helping people find comfort, dignity and quality of life surrounded by those they love. Hospice provides medical care, symptom management, emotional and spiritual support, and guidance for families, wherever a person calls home.
We also offer grief support to anyone in the community, and palliative care to help people with serious illness manage symptoms and plan for the future while continuing treatment.
Families often tell us, “I wish we had known about these services sooner.” Learning about hospice before it is needed means more choices, more confidence and more time.
The best time to learn about these services is before a crisis occurs. If you have questions, reach out to a local hospice organization such as Hospice of the Chesapeake. There is no obligation. Just a conversation.
Because when families understand their choices ahead of time, they are better able to focus on what matters most: spending meaningful time together, honoring each other’s wishes and finding peace of mind.
Sincerely,
Becky Miller
President & CEO
Hospice of the Chesapeake
