Anticipatory Grace

People with end-stage Parkinson’s disease and dementia die in predictable ways. Most often death is from complications of falling, immobility, infection, delirium and malnutrition. These are conditions that you and your patient have been treating and trying to prevent, often for years. When complications occur, families can feel responsible. Talking in advance about what to expect can prevent a sense of failure or guilt.

For more information, call our providers at 360-814-5550 or email:

All Palliative Pearls and other resources can be found by clicking Providers at the top of this page.

If you would like to receive monthly Palliative Pearls via email, please email Pam Putney at [email protected].

Palliative Pearls



Advanced Care Planning for Dementia

Advanced Care Planning for Dementia

Feasibility of interventions and goals of care change as dementia progresses. An Advanced Care Directive should take this into account. As examples:...

Handling Heart Failure at Home

Handling Heart Failure at Home

When rescue efforts don’t work well, consider hospice referral for in-home congestive heart failure (CHF) management. Prognosis in heart failure is...

What’s in a Name?

What’s in a Name?

A formal medical diagnosis is not required to refer a dying patient to Hospice of the Northwest. If a person is dying, even if you don’t know...