Facing Hospice Care Challenges? Book Offers Checklists

India-West Staff Reporter

ESSEX JUNCTION, VT — As more Indian Americans face the challenges of caring for aging relatives and navigating hospice care, Linda Moran’s deeply personal book offers insight and support. The Perks of Hospice: Stories of Love, Life, and Loss recounts her and her husband Dean’s difficult journey through illness, care, and ultimately, hospice. The book not only shares their emotional experiences but also provides valuable checklists to help others navigate similar challenges.

Linda’s husband, Dean, faced a severe decline in health following open-heart surgery. While Linda was prepared to support him through recovery, which included a stroke and speech aphasia, they were unprepared for the overwhelming obstacles they encountered. A network of doctors gave them conflicting care instructions, leaving the couple feeling lost and uninformed.

“You must learn to advocate for your loved one, for your family, and for yourself,” Linda says. “Just because you have a doctor doesn’t mean he/she has your best interests at heart. Ask questions!”

After two years of navigating the chaos of the healthcare system, Dean was referred to hospice care, which meant he was expected to live for no more than six months. While the prognosis was devastating, hospice care provided unexpected benefits: guidance through a broken system, spiritual counseling, the opportunity to be fully present, and the chance to make Dean’s remaining time meaningful.

“The Perks of Hospice shows us how the end of life can be so much more than an ending,” Moran adds. “Hospice and palliative care services are incredible. They are the angels who walk among us, helping to ensure comfort in your remaining days.”

Married for nearly 45 years, Linda and Dean Moran shared a deep bond, especially through their two decades as fiber artists, where they experimented with an ancient paper process on fabric. Their art offered respite from the harsh medical reality and created a meaningful legacy.

For over two years, including through the pandemic, they received exceptional care from their hospice team. Motivated by Dean’s love for helping others, Linda wrote about their experiences and included practical checklists for end-of-life care. After over 30 years as a public-school teacher, Linda’s retirement now includes writing, quilting, reading, and solo travel.

The book is available on Amazon.

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