Hospice nurse Julie McFadden is working to change how people think about death by addressing common fears and misconceptions. With years of experience in end-of-life care and a large following on social media, she explains that while diseases can cause pain, the body’s natural process of shutting down is not inherently painful. According to her, much of what people fear comes from dramatic portrayals in movies and TV, not real-life hospice experiences.
One major misconception she highlights is that dying people always suffer from hunger, thirst, or severe pain. In reality, as the body recognizes it is nearing the end, it naturally reduces hunger and thirst signals, leading to more rest and sleep. McFadden emphasizes that many people die peacefully, sometimes without heavy medication, and hopes that education can make death less taboo and less frightening.
