Facing Death Brings Wisdom

Terminal illness appears to bring newfound and profound wisdom. In this study, patients in hospice care admitted that facing their own mortality and imminent death changed how they viewed wisdom, and they often desired to find peace or acceptance as their health declined. Researcher Dr. Lori MontrossThomas explains, “It wasn’t passive ‘giving up,’ but rather an active coping process. They emphasized how much they appreciated life, taking time to reflect. There was a keen sense of fully enjoying the time they had left and, in doing so, finding the beauty in everyday life.” International Psychogeriatrics, January 2018