For many families, hospice is something you don’t think about until you have to—and by then, everything feels urgent, overwhelming, and unfamiliar. At Gilchrist, we hear the same refrain again and again: “I wish I’d known this sooner.” These reflections come from patients, caregivers, parents, and professionals who discovered, sometimes in the midst of crisis, that hospice and palliative care are not about giving up. They’re about comfort, dignity, support, and living as fully as possible. Here, they share what they wish they, and others, had understood earlier.
Pam Dorgan, Daughter of Gilchrist Patient
“I always thought hospice meant the very end, but once we arrived at Gilchrist, it was like being rescued. I could stop being a caregiver and just be his daughter again. From the moment he arrived, it felt peaceful in a way I never expected—nature, music, kindness, and calm. Gilchrist gave us the gift of being together, without fear or chaos.”
John Halley, Gilchrist Hospice Patient
“Hospice doesn’t have to be a dark cloud or about mourning. Honestly, I don’t think I’d be doing as well without this support. My nurse, social worker, and chaplain bring good energy—and that’s what I live on. The medicine helps, but this crew has been incredible. They check in on me, ask how I’m feeling, and even when I say, ‘Not today,’ they respect that.”
Mellisa Colimore, Daughter of Gilchrist Patient
“Everyone at Gilchrist has been wonderful—the nurses, the social worker, the case manager. They keep reminding me that they’re not only there for my dad, they’re there for me too. When they connected us with the Salute to Service program, we had no idea how monumental it would be. To see my dad honored and stand to salute his fellow soldiers was so beautiful. We don’t get days like that—but it was worth everything he got to feel that day.”
Rachel Stevens Griffin, Wife of Gilchrist Patient
“Hospice isn’t about waiting to die—it’s about dignity. You’re still living, just with support and comfort. There’s such a misconception about hospice. Gilchrist gave me respite, helped me breathe again, and allowed me to stop being just a caregiver and return to being his wife. Hospice is about quality of life, not just the end of life.”
Patricia McGill, Gilchrist Hospice Patient
“When I first came to Gilchrist, everyone expected me to die within six months. Instead, I started to feel better. I think part of that was not being stressed anymore. Everything is brought to you—you don’t have to worry about prescriptions or figuring things out on your own. You have a nurse on call, you have an aide. It really takes the stress away.”
Mildred Coppage, Daughter, and Caregiver of Hospice Patient
“I didn’t truly understand what hospice offered until my brother went there. Having a place where his pain could be managed meant everything. Each step of the way, hospice made me feel like someone was truly caring for my loved one—so I could still care for my mom and manage daily life. In hindsight, hospice was a blessing. I don’t know what I would have done otherwise.”
Carol Esposito, Widow and Daughter of Gilchrist Patients
“Gilchrist gave me peace of mind. When I went to the grocery store, I wasn’t worried that something would happen while I was gone, because someone was always there. For families debating hospice, I’d say go for it. I would do it again in an instant, without hesitation. I truly believe Gilchrist extended my husband’s life.”
Josh Wilen, Father of Maia, Gilchrist Kids Patient
“It took me a while to understand what hospice really meant—especially for kids. Like most people, I thought hospice meant the end. But for us, it’s been support, guidance, and help we couldn’t have gotten anywhere else.”
Marlene Hart, Gilchrist Hospice Patient
“I’ve been sick most of my life, and for years we treated symptoms instead of getting to the heart of what was really going on. Being here helped bring all of that together. Since I’ve been at Gilchrist, my diet has been adjusted, I’m no longer taking diabetes medication, and I may not even need overnight injections anymore—which is unusual at my age.”
Laura Lieberman, Daughter of Gilchrist Patient
“I didn’t fully realize what hospice could offer until my father needed it. We had Gilchrist twice—once in assisted living and again when he was actively dying—and each time they made everything easier. It was Gilchrist who brought him relief immediately. If I’d known more about hospice earlier, I would have sought their services sooner.”
Charles Griffin, Gilchrist Hospice Patient
“I always thought hospice was only for when you were dying. What I learned is that it’s really about managing pain and improving quality of life—and that put me at ease. The care here is excellent. Everyone is respectful, professional, and kind. I’ve been content here.”
Janet Allan, Wife of Gilchrist Patient
“There’s a lot of misunderstanding about hospice. Many people still think it means inpatient care, but hospice and palliative care today offer a wide range of home-based services. People need to know they can remain at home and still receive excellent care. Leading with ‘palliative care’ can help people engage earlier—because avoiding the conversation means missing out on support.”
Lakiya Carter-James, CNA & Hospice Care Aide, Gilchrist
“People often assume hospice work is only sad, but while it can be emotionally intense, it’s also beautiful, peaceful, and profoundly human. Hospice isn’t about giving up—it’s about honoring life and ensuring comfort, even in the final chapter.”
For many families, hospice becomes part of their story only after everything has already changed. But these voices remind us that support, comfort, and clarity don’t have to wait for a crisis. Hospice and palliative care can walk alongside patients and families earlier—helping ease pain, reduce stress, and make space for meaningful moments. If there’s one thing these reflections share, it’s this: knowing sooner can change everything. At Gilchrist, we’re honored to be there not just at the end of life, but in the moments that still matter deeply—when care, dignity, and connection mean the most.
Our Promise
Gilchrist provides quality compassionate care, counseling and support to people at every stage of serious illness. A nationally recognized, nonprofit leader in serious illness and end-of-life care, Gilchrist is deeply committed to providing life-affirming programs to ensure that our patients have the best possible quality of life and the opportunity to live every moment to its fullest.
