Bringing Life To Hospice

Joy shares abundant community resources and how to navigate the available services with aging loved ones. Let us be your compass when finding the best home care settings, additional personal care, and more options as your loved ones healthcare needs change. Have you heard of Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, Meals on Wheels, Respite Care, Stress Buster Training, or Memory Cafes? We dive into it all here! Not a local listener? Joy explains access to more resources too. Get connected and ask for help!

Today's guest, Dr. Amy Rohlfing, Assistant Medical Director for Hospice of Southern Illinois and CMO for Red Bud Regional Hospital, shares personal stories and professional advice and education about dementia and dementia related diagnoses, like Alzheimer's Disease. We cover specific scenarios families and caregivers may experience during a journey with dementia. We also debunk common misconceptions related to these illnesses. Finally, we touch on some medication questions and deprescribing in hospice care.

Age Smart's Chris Fulton, shares her insight into veteran benefits that will be helpful to anyone and veterans at the end-of-life. Our main takeaway, how to organize veteran papers and prepare for the end-of-life, is this quote, "Originals can be in the safe deposit box, BUT have a copy at home! Emergency's don't occur at 10 a.m. on a Wednesday morning when you can easily stroll into the bank go to your safe deposit box. And tell people where they are!" Reach out to your local VSOs for more resources.

Our guest, Patty Webster, from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement joins us from 7,500 miles away from where we are right now to talk more about The Conversation Project and National Healthcare Decisions Day. Patty's professional roots run right from her heart and we can't wait to dive into our talk today! Let's start the conversation about your health and your wishes, your way.

"What if we take a different approach to this?," Dr. Jackson shares in our life impact story segment. What a perspective! If we have honest conversations about our health as we decline, and more frequently, could we reduce the fear associated with death? Are you a caregiver who wants to know how handle the delicate topic? Insight is on the way with Dr. Jackson as he shares his experiences with us.

Episode Mentions Tech for Good: Apple Watch Breathe Feature Caregiver Tip: Dignity Quotient on Dementia

We welcome Dr. Ellen Middendorf, Medical Director for Hospice of Southern Illinois, to discuss why the call to hospice shouldn't wait, including key benefits for selecting hospice care sooner. Later in our episode, we speak with an admission nurse, Veronica Hund, who explains what to expect upon calling a hospice to provide care. We dive into meeting the "face of hospice care", questions we ask families, what families often ask us, and why it's all necessary.

The extra level of care hospice provides, allows you to focus on quality moments and reflection.

Chris Sutton, Regional Ombudsman for area 8 from Senior Services Plus and Shaman, joins Hospice of Southern Illinois to discuss cultures and religion at the end of life. We dive into different burial rituals, ideals and aspects from Buddhism, Navajo, Christianity, Sioux, Hopi, and Taoism. We had a few more lined up but ran out of time. So if you want more, please be sure to let us know on Instagram @hospiceofsouthernillinois and @coyotechriss.

Recommendations:

- Fight. Grind. Repeat. by Bobby Bones

- Bill Moyer: The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell

- Hospice of Southern Illinois Phone App - New Emotional Wellness Section with tools for grounding, gratitude, reconnecting and acceptance

- Releasing end of Jan/Early Feb: Chris's Book - Shock & Awe: The Spiritual Journey of Coyote Chris Sutton

Find more questions and resources: [email protected] and www.coyotechris.com

December is a month of celebration, tradition and reflection. However, for some, it can be challenging after the loss of a loved one. The year 2020 also presents itself with its own set of barriers. This month's episode is a prerecorded webinar from a presentation that we thought was very fitting to help provide resources and coping techniques during this time of year. While timely, this information can be helpful anytime.

This presentation covers the following information: 1. Challenge your view of death. 2. Alter how you would provide support to someone who has had a recent loss. 3. See the value in having a hospice Social Worker.

Hospice is about living. We're here to start a conversation without fear. Warming your heart, while opening your mind, we'll highlight the importance of planning for a peaceful end-of-life journey. Two Hospice of Southern Illinois' employees will co-host conversations from legacy to love to end-of-life care. With your comfort, education, and safety top of mind, Hospice of Southern Illinois is here to support you.