'I'm a hospice nurse - here's the most common regret of dying patients'
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A nurse who works in a hospice has revealed the most common regret dying patients have. Julie McFadden said she has seen "hundreds" of people pass away - and while many express regret over dedicating too much time to work, there's another sentiment that is more frequently voiced but less often discussed. Speaking to podcaster Rob Moore, Julie said: "The main thing people say, that I don't hear a lot of people mention, is 'I wish I would have appreciated my health'.".
The health worker, known as "Hospice Nurse Julie" on social media, also shared her nightly practice of writing a "gratitude list" often including her ability to see and walk among the things she is thankful for. She said: "I like the fact that I can breathe, I'm walking around, I can feel the sunshine – little things like that.
"I think the biggest thing I hear from people [who are] dying is that they wish they would have appreciated how well they felt before." Having worked as an Intensive Care Unit nurse for eight years before transitioning to hospice care, Julie has penned a book about the process of dying, advocating for better preparation, Surrey Live reports.
She added: "I believe that people should know about the dying process before they're actually going through it with a loved one or themselves." Julie, who is from the US, said many people take their health for granted - and admitted she does it too. However, she said her job allows her to appreciate the intricate workings of our bodies and how they are biologically designed to eventually cease functioning. She emphasised death is a natural process that should not be feared, but criticised the fact that since hospice care is not free in the US, many people receive end-of-life care at home. "Generally speaking it helps to have money to die well which I think is really unfortunate," the nurse said.
