Foundations of End-of-Life Care for Aging Parents

End-of-life care is one of the hardest topics families face, and it is hardest when decisions arrive without preparation. Families that understand the system in advance make calmer, more aligned choices that reflect the wishes of the person they love. This foundational course gives you that understanding. By the end of this course you will be able to describe the difference between curative, palliative, and hospice care, explain how advance directives shape decisions, recognize the stages of dying, and identify what kinds of support are available for both the patient and the family. What you will learn: - The clinical and philosophical differences between palliative care and hospice care - How advance directives, living wills, healthcare proxies, and DNR orders interact - How hospice services are organized, what they cover, and when they begin - The typical physical and cognitive changes in the last weeks and days of life - How decisions about feeding, hydration, antibiotics, and pain management are made - How spiritual care, social workers, and bereavement services support the whole family - Common myths: hospice means giving up, palliative care speeds death, comfort care is undertreatment The course uses readings, narrative case examples, and reflection prompts. Each module ends with questions that you can take into conversations with family members and clinicians. This course is written for adult children and other family members supporting an aging parent. By the end you will have replaced fear and unfamiliar terminology with a clear understanding of how end-of-life care actually works, and you will be able to participate meaningfully in care conversations rather than feeling sidelined by the system.