Free Republic

Last month, former President Jimmy Carter marked one year in hospice. After entering end-of-life care in February 2023, he celebrated his 99th birthday and grieved the death of his wife of 77 years and former first lady, Rosalynn Carter. Even then, Carter was able — with help — to attend her funeral. Even at the end of life, the nation’s longest-living president — someone who “practically no one ever thought” would be elected president, writes the New York Times’ Peter Baker — is defying the odds. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 90% of patients who enter...

A bombshell report was released this year evidencing a scandal that ranks among the worst in its evil: the euthanization of patients for the sake of profit. It made enough of a splash to spur new industry protocols but apparently not enough to stop the entrenched practice of hastening the death of hospice patients. The November 2022 report, written by Ava Kofman for ProPublica, shows how hospice conditions create what seems to be an irresistible — and ultimately lethal — opportunity for corruption: The industry rakes in massive funds from Medicare, which delivers a flat daily cash benefit, but hospice...

As Marisol Perez fought for her life in a Texas hospital in autumn 2021, her mother, Alma Salas, sat with her every day praying. Perez, then 42, had such a virulent case of Covid and pneumonia that doctors at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, an HCA Healthcare facility, had put her on a ventilator and into a coma to try to save her. Salas said she believed her daughter would pull through, but doctors and nurses at the hospital kept telling her otherwise. Over 10 days in October, less than a month after Perez entered St. David’s, Salas received...

In the three months since Jimmy Carter entered hospice, the 98-year-old former president is enjoying visits from family members, fielding updates on his humanitarian foundation and eating peanut butter ice cream at the modest single-story home in Georgia he shares with his wife, his grandson said. Carter’s grandson Jason Carter provided the update on his grandfather after the 39th president entered end-of-life care at his Plains home in February “instead of additional medical intervention” after a series of short hospital stays. “They’re just meeting with family right now, but they’re doing it in the best possible way: the two of...

Jimmy Carter receiving hospice care, Carter Center says February 18, 2023 / 3:25 PM / CBS News Former President Jimmy Carter is receiving hospice care at his home, the Carter Center announced Saturday. He made the decision after a series of short hospital stays, the center said in a statement. This is a developing story and will be updated.

Abstract Patients who are in the last few days of life are often too frail to take oral fluids and nutrition. This may be due entirely to the natural history of their disease, although the use of sedative drugs for symptom relief may contribute to a reduced level of consciousness and thus a reduced oral intake. Rehydration with intravenous (i.v.) fluids is the usual response in acute care settings, whereas the hospice movement has often argued against this approach. The issues are complex and involve not only physical, psychological and social concerns, but also ethical dilemmas. A review of the...

“Weekend at Bernie’s” rumors are swirling in Georgia as an elderly Democrat congressman runs for reelection without debating his Republican rival, or campaigning. Rep. David Scott, 77, has made no public appearance in the past month, and some Republicans are now wondering if he’s even alive. Scott was last seen in public at a Financial Services Committee hearing in Washington D.C. on September 21. Two videos featuring the congressman were posted on his YouTube channel in October, but it’s not clear when they were recorded. The latest one on October 28 shows Scott delivering remarks on the Inaugural Black Farmers...

Prominent evangelist Luis Palau, who has been battling lung cancer for the past few years, has entered hospice care, his son reported Monday night. Andrew Palau posted a statement to the Luis Palau Facebook page explaining that his 86-year-old father's battle with stage 4 lung cancer "took a turn for the worse" at the start of 2021. "He spent two weeks in the hospital in January, dealing with heart and lung issues. Although the doctors thought they had stabilized his condition and [we're] happy to send him home, he returned to the hospital on Friday, February 19th," stated Palau. "After...

'We are highly concerned with the lack of justice in the court system today,' said the society’s board chair Angelina Ireland.DELTA, British Columbia, June 17, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A Canadian judge has blocked a hospice society from initiating a vote by membership on becoming a Christian society, which if adopted would have exempted it from the legal obligation to allow euthanasia — the killing of sick patients by lethal injection — onsite. The Delta Hospice Society, which runs the 10-bed Irene Thomas Hospice, planned to launch the mail-in vote to its 1,500 members at a special meeting this Monday. But...

Many of you are aware that I'm afflicted with stage four cancer, and that I have chosen the alternative healing route instead of conventional treatments. Well, I've gone further downhill since I informed FR of my condition some months back. I'm now going to require outside assistance to manage the pain. I know nothing about hospice, except that they come into the home to help patients with pain, et cetera. What I don't know is what the potential risks exist when using such a service. Will they report back to Big Brother about what they saw in your gun closet?...

Dr. Christopher W. Kerr is the Chief Medical Officer at The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, where he has worked since 1999. His background in research has evolved from bench science towards the human experience of illness as witnessed from the bedside, specifically patients’ dreams and visions at the end of life. Although medically ignored, these near universal experiences often provide comfort and meaning as well as insight into the life led and the death anticipated. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

Trump Derangement Syndrome reached its apotheosis on today's Morning Joe, as MSNBC "Republican" Elise Jordan literally called for a Trump adviser to be sent off to die. Commenting on Rudy Giuliani's conversation of yesterday with Chris Cuomo on CNN regarding possible contacts between the Trump administration and Ukraine, Jordan said: "It's simply astounding to watch Drunk Grandpa last night, who just needs to be pulled off to hospice, if not . . . " Get the rest of the story and view the video here.

I had a vision last night and over the past 3 days or so. If all that I am going to say were not 100% fully documented by the entire medical and clergical, housekeeping and all other staff, you would be justified in branding me crazy, but it is true, GOD is using this little backwoods Maine country preacher to try and wake up the medical and religious world.

Good morning and thanks my fellow freepers, the 26th was my two month anniversary here at Togus Maine VA end of life hospice, quite and accomplishment and testament to CHRIST, freeper prayers, the medical staff and all. Then yesterday I received this beautiful bouquet of flowers you, my you Freeper brothers and sisters, THANK YOU.

Well I am in End of Life Hospice care at the Togus Hospital in Augusta Maine. So, I reckon I can say just about anything I want to about politics, politicians, false prophets, preachers and everything else. If you were in my shoes, what would you say and to whom.

When I was home, Before coming to The VA end of life hospice care at Togus, Augusta, Maine, I had a great alternative to drudge on my desktop, but on this lap top it is invisible. Does anyone know an alternative so that I can bookmark it on this laptop.

Former Rep. John Dingell, the longest-serving member of Congress in American history, is receiving hospice care, a person familiar with the situation said Wednesday. The person was not authorized to speak publicly but told The Associated Press about the 92-year-old Dingell’s condition. Dingell’s wife, Rep. Debbie Dingell, tweeted Wednesday morning that she was with him at their home in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn. […] Dingell was first elected in 1955 to fill the House seat vacated by his late father. He was considered a master of legislative deal-making and a staunch advocate for the U.S. auto industry. …

Breaking now - will post a link shortly

The family of longtime Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, said Friday that he has chosen to discontinue medical treatment for brain cancer. "Last summer, Senator John McCain shared with Americans the news our family already knew: he had been diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma, and the prognosis was serious. In the year since, John has surpassed expectations for his survival. But the progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age render their verdict. With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment. Our family is immensely grateful for the support and kindness of all his...

"In the year since, John has surpassed expectations for his survival. But the progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age render their verdict. With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment," McCain's family said in a statement released by his office.