Italian family voices challenges and gratitude over hospice and care support

Sergio Carrozza, a resident of Taurianova, wrote about the sudden withdrawal of the National Fund for Non‑Self‑Sufficient persons (FNA) that had helped his wife, Sabina Radu, who is bedridden with ALS. He also described the abrupt termination of palliative home care services by the local health authority while he was undergoing cancer treatment and their son was in surgery, leaving the family with minimal daily assistance and high out‑of‑pocket costs.

In a separate letter, Federica and Riccardo thanked the hospice of Terni (Usl Umbria 2), directed by Dr. Manuela Margaritelli, for the compassionate care provided to their mother during her final illness. They highlighted the hospice’s supportive environment, clear communication about treatments, and facilities that allowed family members to stay and help, contrasting their initial fear of hospice care with a positive experience.

Both letters underscore the difficulties faced by Italian families navigating long‑term and end‑of‑life care, as well as the potential for well‑run hospice services to offer essential humanitarian support.