[Applause] I'd like you to imagine two rooms. In the first, bright fluorescent lights, a continuous beeping monitor, the strong smell of antiseptic. people standing by someone in a hospital bed that appears to be their loved one with lines, leads, and tubes emanating from their body. There are looks of worry and anxiety on their faces. In the next room, a soft light pierce through a window overlooking a lake. The sound of soft wind chimes and a Native American flute play in the background while memories and ...

On the latest “Drum Tower” podcast, James Miles visits one of China’s oldest hospices and meets a pioneer of the country’s end-of-life care. Listen now https://t.co/AFnmPQhUpQ ...

Our weekly podcast on China. This week, why the country needs to get better at end-of-life care https://t.co/TiDR6ODsYR ...

End-of-Life Care Challenges - The industry faces a significant gap between the desire for documented end-of-life wishes (96%) and the actual completion of advanced care directives (17%) [2] - Approximately 60% of Canadians died in hospitals in 2022, highlighting the medicalization of death [4] - Current systems, institutions, and cultural norms contribute to a lack of death literacy, shielding individuals from the realities of death and dying [10] - Hospital environments often amplify stress for grieving families, underscoring the need for spaces designed for grief and ritual [13][14] Redesigning End-of-Life Care - The industry needs to shift from fearing death to embracing it through open conversations and acceptance [12] - Redesigning hospital experiences with community kitchens, sunlight, and family spaces can provide acts of care during difficult moments [16] - End-of-life care should prioritize dignity, autonomy, compassionate communication, and spiritual/emotional support [21][22] - Integrating artists and music therapists can bring creativity and meaning to the dying process and aid in grief processing [23][24] Future of End-of-Life Care - The industry should recognize that end-of-life care extends beyond hospitals and healthcare systems, requiring community involvement [24] - Future models should incorporate grief workers, social support, and death doulas, shifting the focus from individual patients to include their families, communities, and spirits [25] - Calls to action include talking about death early and often, designing care with dignity and beauty, planning for individualized care, and bringing community back into dying [26][27][28]