Better Together

Five-Star Care: What Our CMS Rating Means for Patients & Families

Our Hospice has earned a Five-Star Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), placing us among just five hospices in Indiana to receive this distinction!

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, we sit down with Amy Lowe, Director of Clinical and Support Services, and Shannon Johnson, Director of Quality & Education, to discuss what this recognition means for our patients, families, staff, and communities.

We'll explore how our team's dedication to compassionate, high-quality care helped achieve this milestone, what the rating means for families choosing hospice care, and how we continue working to Make Every Moment Count.

This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team and our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional end-of-life care to the communities we serve.

Learn more at www.ourhospice.org or call 812-314-8083.

The 40th Annual Our Hospice Summer Concert is almost here! In this special FAQ edition of the Better Together Podcast, Steph Cain is joined by Event Coordinator Tabitha Saltzman to share everything you need to know before concert day.

The free community concert takes place Saturday, September 5, from 4–8 p.m. at the Bartholomew County Public Library Plaza in downtown Columbus, featuring 40 Years of College and 3 Beards Strummin.

In this episode, we cover parking and street closures, what to bring, food and beverage options, DORA guidelines, accessibility and restrooms, the weather plan, and more. You’ll also hear how to get your $10 raffle ticket for a chance to win $10,000, where to purchase commemorative 40th anniversary T-shirts, and how your support helps Our Hospice provide care to patients and families regardless of their ability to pay.

The 40th Annual Summer Concert is presented by Title Sponsor Dunlap General and Mechanical Contractors and Rock Star Sponsors Columbus Regional Health and Johnson-Witkemper Insurance.

Bring your lawn chairs, come hungry, and join us downtown as we celebrate 40 years of bringing our community together through music, memories, and support for hospice care.

Concert details, raffle information, T-shirts and more: ourhospice.org/concert

Grief can look different for every child, but no child should have to navigate it alone.

In this episode of Better Together, we're joined by Melissa Clark, a licensed clinical social worker, Our Hospice volunteer, and founder of Camp Eva, to discuss how Camp Eva has helped children and families in our community navigate grief for years.

Melissa shares how Camp Eva provides a safe, supportive environment where children can connect with others, honor their loved ones, express their feelings through meaningful activities, and simply enjoy being kids. We also discuss how adults can better understand childhood grief and the important role families, volunteers, and the community play in helping children heal.

Camp Eva is open to children ages 5–12 who have experienced the loss of someone they love. The camp will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 1:00–3:30 p.m. at Columbus Youth Camp, with registration beginning at 12:30 p.m. Children must be registered by September 12.

Learn more and register at ourhospice.org/camp-eva.

Financial planning isn't just about retirement—it's also about the legacy you leave behind. In this episode, Steph Cain sits down with certified financial planner Patrick Andrews of Wisdom Wealth & Abundance to discuss practical ways anyone can incorporate charitable giving into their financial plan.

From annual giving and appreciated stock to legacy gifts and tax-smart strategies, Patrick explains how thoughtful planning can maximize both your impact and potential tax benefits. Most importantly, he shares why you don't have to be wealthy to give back—charitable giving is for everyone, and every gift makes a difference.

To learn more or discuss your own financial and charitable giving goals, contact Patrick Andrews at [email protected] or 812-379-1120.

Shelbyville community member Rick Gill joins us to share his family's hospice journey and the compassionate care that supported his mother through dementia. He reflects on the relationships that made a lasting impact, why hospice changed his perspective, and how the experience inspired him and his wife, Angela, to give back and help others understand the value of hospice care.

learn more at www.ourhospice.org or call 812-314-8083.

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Steph Cain sits down with Loretta Lucas, Kristina Caplinger, and Ginger Sims to talk about the important role Home Health Aides play in caring for patients and loved ones.

They share what Home Health Aides do, how they build trust and connection with patients, and the small moments that can make a big difference in someone’s day. The conversation also includes personal stories about hospice care, including experiences with their own loved ones and moments with patients that have stayed with them.

This episode offers a closer look at the compassion, comfort, and care Home Health Aides provide every day as part of the Our Hospice care team.

Learn more at www.ourhospice.org or call 812.314.8083.

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, host Steph Cain is joined by Chris Branson and Nick Rittman of Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home for a conversation about what happens after a loved one dies. Together, they walk through the first steps families can expect, from contacting the funeral home to making arrangements, choosing between burial and cremation, planning a service, and finding ways to honor a loved one’s life.

Chris and Nick also discuss the value of pre-planning, how it can ease stress for loved ones, and why having a plan in place can bring comfort during an overwhelming time. They share how funeral care has changed over the years, including more personalized services, online planning tools, memory tables, videos, and options that reflect each family’s wishes and traditions.

This conversation offers practical guidance, reassurance, and a better understanding of how funeral professionals support families with care, respect, and compassion after a loss.

Learn more about hospice at ourhospice.org.

Learn more about funeral, cremation and other arrangements at https://jewellrittman.com.

In this special concert preview episode of the Better Together Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Roy Goode and Kevin Welsh of 40 Years of College, along with Scott Wilson and Chris Newman of 3 Beards Strummin. They share more about their bands, their connection to Our Hospice, and what it means to be part of the 40th Annual Our Hospice Labor Day Concert. You’ll also hear a little music along the way as we look ahead to the concert’s return downtown to the Bartholomew County Public Library on Saturday, September 5.

Listen now at ourhospice.org/podcast and learn more about the concert at ourhospice.org/concert.

Host and President Steph Cain is joined by Tracy Haddad, a Columbus community leader and supporter of Our Hospice. Tracy shares her perspective on the importance of giving back, the impact of strong community leadership, and her family’s experience with hospice care. Together, they discuss what makes Columbus special and how individuals can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

In this episode of the Better Together Podcast, Steph Cain talks with Cathy Betz, After-Hours RN, about what happens when care needs feel urgent—especially in the middle of the night. From unexpected symptoms to difficult decisions, Cathy shares how she supports families through stressful moments with calm guidance, reassurance, and experience. This episode offers insight into what families can expect after hours and how the hospice team is always there to help Make Every Moment Count.

Learn more at ourhospice.org or call 812-314-8083