Hospice workers share the foods that bring patients comfort till the end

Hospice workers share the foods that bring patients comfort till the end: Plus, they reveal how families can support their loved ones with scents, small bites and shared memories 
HuffPost; by Julie Kendrick; 12/30/24
... We all live, we all die and we all enjoy food along the way. The memory and meaning of food, along with the bliss of being able to savor a cherished flavor, are still present in our lives, even as we head toward a last meal, a soothing sip of water or a final bit of sustenance. “Food often plays an emotional role in the last stages of life,” said Dr. Kurt Merkelz, the chief medical officer at Compassus, a home-based care company. “Some patients may reminisce about favorite meals or foods that connect them to fond memories and loved ones. There are instances where patients crave a specific dish that reminds them of their family or heritage, even if they can’t eat much.” ... People often ask for things like mashed potatoes, ice cream and chicken soup, according to Gail Inderwies, the founder and president of KeystoneCare, a hospice and home health provider in Pennsylvania. ... Sometimes, those comforts are part of a culinary heritage.
Editor's note: Click here for a caregiver/family educational video, "Small Words Big Meanings: EAT," by Composing Life Out of Loss, a sponsor of this newsletter.