A Year-long Goodbye

In early 2011, Ellen Goode moved her mother Frances out of a nursing home and into her living room, hoping she could take better care of her mother than the facility she had lived in for a few years. Frances suffered from numerous health problems that required round-the-clock care, and Ellen became a full-time caregiver. I photographed the last eleven months of Frances’ life at Ellen’s home, witnessing what it takes to care for a terminally ill person. Ellen’s decision to care for Frances meant she could devote fewer and fewer hours to her therapy practice, her personal relationship ended and she was frequently looking for financial resources to cover the additional $2000-$3000 needed for monthly medical supplies, prescription medicines and payment for part-time healthcare aides. Frances died in February of 2012.

Ellen Goode checks on her mother, Frances Livermore, in the hospital bed where she stays in Ellen’s living room. Unable to move due to illness, Frances spends 24-hours a day in the bed. Inside the third-floor walk-up apartment, Ellen is never more

Ellen Goode checks on her mother, Frances Livermore, in the hospital bed where she stays in Ellen’s living room.Unable to move due to illness, Frances spends 24-hours a day in the bed. Inside the third-floor walk-up apartment, Ellen is never more than a few steps from Frances’ bedside.

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