About Ellen Rand

Shortly after my then-85-year-old mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor, my brother and I accompanied her to meetings with several specialists. We were trying to determine what, if any, treatment would make the most sense for her…
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When I became a hospice volunteer, I imagined – considering my background as a reporter and writer – that I might be able to help people who wanted to write or record their life stories. I thought it would help people make sense…
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It often seems as if portrayals of older adults in the media, in films, or on TV – when they’re portrayed at all – follow one of two models: frail, doddering, addled, foolish…
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I don’t think the phrase “leg bag” was ever part of my husband’s and my vocabulary when we were newly-wed several decades ago. But it was just one more thing we learned over the course of his treatment for a stubborn…
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As a hospice volunteer, one of the many things I’ve come to understand is that everyone faces serious illness and the prospect of death differently. There’s simply no “right way” or “wrong way” to approach it…
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We all know how important it is to incorporate physical exercise in our lives to help us age well. It’s good for our bodies, of course, but also for our spirits. It raises our sense of well-being, perhaps enhancing our connection to nature and improving our social lives. Read More

We rarely take time to dwell on this, but at some future point, many of us will need assistance as physical disabilities, chronic illness, frailty, or dementia take hold. Read More

Of all the healthcare issues that spark controversy, extreme emotion and passionate advocacy, the idea of physician-assisted dying arguably tops the list. It’s not hard to understand why. Faced with the prospect of intractable pain and prolonged suffering, many people believe that…
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Do you dream about skydiving some day? Or maybe climbing an imposing mountain? How about spending a month in Tahiti? Read More

You may not think you’re susceptible to magical thinking, but don’t discount the possibility that it will make its presence felt when you least expect it. Read More