ABSTRACT
A hundred years ago, most Americans died at home. Disease and death were common throughout life. Young and old alike fell ill and often died from infectious diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, or diarrhea and enteritis. Early death kept the average life expectancy low (47 years in 1900) (National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS], 2006). When death did occur, it was often sudden, following only a few days or, at most, a few weeks of illness. There were few physicians and even fewer hospitals or nursing homes. Most care was provided at home by female family members—mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters. Thus, people typically lived their final days at home in the care of family members (Lynn & Adamson, 2003).
