This is a short post on a big thought. The headline says it all. Simply, I wish there was another word for hospice.

Hospice has such a negative, somber connotation. You say it and people immediately jump to DEATH. Or they have a sad vision of a sickly, pale, bone-thin grandma in a medical bed, just minutes away from her last breath. Or, worse — they think hospice is a death SENTENCE because somehow the person “in hospice” (another phrase I hate, btw) isn’t getting the most proactive or medically aggressive treatment. Worse still is the implication that someone, some family member at their wits end, is just LETTING THEM DIE.

So when hospice care is suggested, people get all oogly googly, heeby jeeby no thank you, we’re not “THERE” yet. And that’s so sad, because hospice — or whatever new name we want to, as a group, decide to call it — is so lifegiving and wonderful.

And ya’ll. It’s not just for people two steps away from the pearly gates. Let me say this loudly for the people with hearing aids in the back: it’s for ANYONE IN DECLINE. And that person can be in decline for a long, long time if they keep passing six month assessments. Oh, and here’s the real zinger: IT’S (USUALLY) FREE. Did you hear that, folks? It’s FREE! Oh, and they also load you up with free resources like medical beds and diapers and nutrition and some prescriptions. They provide visits to your home, several days a week. That’s FREE IN HOME CARE people. That’s more eyeballs on your loved one’s scene. No it’s not just for planful people with good health insurance. No, it’s not just for the rich and famous. No it’s not for the super old or super stingy. It’s for anyone who is in some kind of health decline. PERIOD.

Hospice is a gift. It just needs a better name.