Understanding Narratives in Hospice through Storytelling

Surveys show that many people do not fully understand hospice, a branch of palliative care that ensures comfort for the dying, and there is a distinct lack of death literacy that contributes to this issue. Storytelling can be a powerful way to educate about and navigate through experiences involving death. During summer 2023, in association with the C.A.R.E. Program, I worked as a caregiver at Gateway House of Peace in Ballston Spa, NY—a comfort home that houses and assists hospice patients in their final months. My work included assisting with medications, physical support, emotional support, and more. Challenges varied from menial tasks, such as providing water or doing laundry, to more impactful moments, such as comforting someone who was afraid of dying. I gained valuable skills and witnessed a side of life and death that I had never been exposed to before. During fall term, I wrote a series of fictional short stories about my experiences, channeling my emotions and newfound skills to create impactful narratives of hospice.