#hospice

#hospice

Six months ago, we had a major disruption when my 83-year-old father-in-law was diagnosed with dementia. Last week, he was admitted to hospice. We have no one to help with him, except for a sitter who is draining his wallet. My husband works during the day, and as soon as he gets off, he goes to his dad's. My husband and I have an 11-year-old daughter, and she and I literally miss him.

My father was on his deathbed at the age of 86. Two days before he passed, my younger brother and I started to fuss about Dad's condition in the ICU. I saw my father move his head. I looked him deep in the eyes, and he said to my brother and me without missing a beat, 'Cut it out.' I had to laugh, but in my laughter I started to cry.

The Sussex Beacon, a Brighton-based charity supporting those living with HIV, has announced it is set to become the UK's first-ever dedicated hospice for the queer community in Sussex.