It often starts with a quiet question: Is it time for hospice? Families may not be sure what to ask—or even how to begin. They just know something has changed. That’s when Molly Helm steps in to help them find clarity and support.
Molly, a nurse navigator at Ethos Hospice, supports people who are facing one of life’s hardest transitions. And while no two families are exactly alike, she often hears similar concerns—about what hospice means and whether it’s the right step.
“I see my responsibility as helping to educate and ease that fear of the unknown,” Molly says. “Making decisions at the end of a loved one’s life is never easy, but I try to make that very first step—understanding what hospice is and what to expect—feel a little lighter.”
Addressing common misconceptions
One of the most common fears Molly hears is that choosing hospice means the end is immediately near.
“That’s not necessarily true,” she explains. “There’s this stigma that it (hospice) means an expiration date has been set. In fact, studies show that people who choose hospice earlier often live longer because of the supportive care.”
Hospice is not about rushing anything. It’s about honoring a person’s choices and focusing on comfort, dignity, and quality of life—on their terms.
“At its heart, hospice allows families to focus on being families—spending meaningful time together—while the care team supports their loved one at the end of life,” Molly shares.
Walking families through the journey
Molly’s role goes beyond logistics or care coordination. She’s often the first person a family reaches out to when they’re unsure where to begin.
“My advice to any family who feels overwhelmed or unsure where to start is simple—just give me a call,” she says. “Knowledge is power, and often the hardest step is just beginning the conversation.”
With compassion and clarity, Molly takes time to answer every question and ensure no family walks away feeling lost or unsure. Her goal is reassurance.
In one story that sticks with her, a woman and her family were unsure whether to begin hospice care. Molly met with them several times, helping them understand what the transition would really look like.
“After she elected to use her hospice benefit and was admitted, I asked how she felt. She told me, ‘Like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,’” Molly recalls. “That moment reminded me why I do this work—hospice is about easing burdens, creating comfort, and helping families focus on meaningful time together.”
Hospice has changed—and so has the conversation
Hospice care today is more supportive, more compassionate, and more empowering than many people realize.
“Hospice is really about honoring the client’s choices, dignity, and goals for however much time they have left,” Molly explains.
Choosing hospice isn’t giving up—it’s leaning into the kind of care that puts people first. And at Ethos, that means walking alongside families with open hands and open hearts.
Need someone to talk to?
If you’re considering hospice care or just want to understand your options, reach out to Ethos at (701) 515-0240 or start with our no-pressure online assessment. Sometimes, the first step is just a conversation.