I didn’t get the reaction I wanted when I told my academic advisor I wanted to focus my Marriage and Family Therapy internship towards helping families going through “End-Of-Life” transitions. “What, you mean Hospice?” She said. I confirmed with a determined nod. “Why?” She asked, looking quite puzzled. Little did I know this wouldn’t be the first time someone much older than me would question my decisions because of my youth. It seems that I had to justify and explain

According to the Illinois Department on Aging, most abusers are family members; 80% were either spouse, child or other relative. It is also assumed that incidents are often underreported because of this — and the victim may not want to report it out of fear of further abuse. Anyone who sees, hears or interacts with elders has the power to speak for the ones who may be victims. Many professions are even mandated by law to report. We think to ourselves, “I will just let someone

"As a chaplain intern, I had the privilege to serve both patients and their loved ones. I was fortunate to be with both my mother and sister as they passed, and it was that experience that started me on the path of chaplaincy. There is a sense of connection when working with people in hospice -- a sense of connection, ironically, I can only equate with when my children were new-borns. After their late night/early morning nursing, I would walk with them, be with them and lo