182 The Timely Presence: Year-Long Grief Support and Showing Up After Loss

Host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, interviews Kelly Edmondson, RN, a bereaved mother and certified grief counselor who founded The Timely Presence, a year-long grief support service. Kelly shares formative experiences with death in trauma ICU, including an 18-year-old dying on Christmas as his family arrived, and later the death of her son Darius in 2023, which led her to focus on supporting people through milestone days. She explains how The Timely Presence provides one-time-purchase collections tailored to relationships (parent/child, spouses/partners, infant pregnancy loss, and other close relationships), delivering 3–6 heirloom-quality personalized gifts over a year, ending on the loss anniversary, with reminders to the gift giver. Kelly discusses practical gift examples, expanding interest in pet loss, and guidance for supporting grieving people: say the loved one's name, listen without trying to fix grief, avoid comparisons, and recognize grief has no timeline.

00:00 Welcome and Disclaimer

00:44 Meet Kelly Edmondson RN

02:15 Christmas ICU Turning Point

05:18 The Call That Changed Everything

07:27 Mother's Day and Finding Purpose

10:37 Building The Timely Presence

15:07 How the Service Works

17:28 What's Inside the Gifts

21:08 Grief Counseling and Pet Loss

23:58 Say Their Name and Remember

30:29 What to Say to Grievers

34:14 Where to Find Timely Presence

35:52 Closing Thanks and Subscribe

https://thetimelypresence.com/shop/

If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.

Maire introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of the cloud9caresystem.com, When patients remain in the same position for extended periods, they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode #119)

When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You)

Marie's Contact [email protected] www.HospiceExplained.com

Finding a Hospice Agency

1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency,

2. choose Find provider

3. Choose Hospice

4. then add your zip code

This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.

181 Feeling Supported and Prepared for Death on Hospice

In episode 181 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, shares a listener story about a new nurse who felt unsupported and unprepared for his mother's death on hospice and still carries a negative memory 16 years later. Marie reflects on the need for hospice staff to assess families' education and experience levels, ask leading questions, clearly explain what to expect, and ensure people know who to call and feel safe doing so. She also shares her own experience with her oldest brother's death, realizing she stayed in "nurse role" to support others and didn't emotionally prepare herself to grieve. She invites listeners to be a guest and share positive or negative hospice stories so others can learn and do better in the future.

00:00 Welcome and Disclaimer

00:29 Episode Intro and Purpose

00:47 Listener Story Feeling Unsupported

01:48 Hospice Staff Must Assess Needs

02:24 Personal Story Brother's Death

03:48 Check In and Teach Caregivers

04:52 Share Your Story and Closing

IF You want to share your story please email me: [email protected]

If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.

Maire introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of the cloud9caresystem.com, When patients remain in the same position for extended periods, they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode #119)

When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You)

Marie's Contact [email protected] www.HospiceExplained.com

Finding a Hospice Agency

1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency,

2. choose Find provider

3. Choose Hospice

4. then add your zip code

This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.

180 Hospice Buddy: Practical Symptom Support, Caregiver Logbooks, and Grounding Prompts with Jamie Haberman RN

Host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, interviews returning guest Jamie Haberman RN, a hospice nurse with nearly 20 years of end-of-life experience and founder of Hospice Buddy. Jamie describes her hospice background and explains Hospice Buddy as a caregiver support platform offering free resources, a Facebook support group, and paid one-on-one support calls. She outlines her publications: six caregiver logbooks designed for the six-month hospice timeframe to track medications, symptoms, vitals, and notes, plus simple activities like reflections, puzzles, and coloring; a five-minute caregiver grounding journal focused on gratitude, breathing, and letting go; and a Christian faith-based symptom management guide covering common hospice issues (pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, congestion, falls, DNR) with practical, nonclinical tips. They discuss why information is hard to absorb during crises, the need for overnight support, and how some patients seem to time their death when family briefly steps away.

00:00 Welcome and Disclaimer

00:29 Meet Host Marie

00:55 Introducing Jamie Haberman

01:50 Jamie Hospice Background

02:36 Hospice Buddy and Books

04:25 Five Minute Grounding

06:45 Faith Based Support

08:51 Symptom Management Guide

10:16 Formats Pricing and Calls

13:57 Why Extra Support Matters

16:17 Night Shift and Passing Timing

20:25 Caregiver Logbooks Activities

24:17 Where to Find Jamie

25:25 Final Encouragement and Wrap

https://hospicebuddy.com/

If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.

Maire introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of the cloud9caresystem.com, When patients remain in the same position for extended periods, they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode #119)

When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You)

Marie's Contact [email protected] www.HospiceExplained.com

Finding a Hospice Agency

1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency,

2. choose Find provider

3. Choose Hospice

4. then add your zip code

This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.

179 Hospice Is About Living: Honest Conversations, Palliative vs. Hospice, and Supporting Nurses with Gina Harris MSN, MSQT

Host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, interviews Gina Harris MSN, MSQT, Chief Clinical Officer at Marisol Health in South Carolina, about hospice education and reducing fear around end-of-life care. Gina shares her career path from mortgage banking to 25 years in nursing, including critical care leadership and work as a CMS-certified surveyor, and explains how hospice nursing is emotionally demanding and often undervalued. The conversation centers on the need for honest communication about dying, including a story of a woman with recurring cancer who pursued a third major surgery before choosing hospice and dying days later, highlighting "chasing normal" and the limits of prognostic estimates. Gina describes hospice as support for living with comfort and dignity, outlines palliative care versus hospice, and explains how Marisol trains staff through in-services, role playing, interdisciplinary visits, and certification.

00:00 Welcome and Disclaimer

00:29 Meet Host Marie

00:45 Introducing Gina Harris MSN, MSQT

02:11 Gina's Nursing Journey

04:09 Why Hospice Matters

06:05 Coaching Nurses to Talk

08:29 Chasing Normal Story

13:42 Hard Truths and Hospice

18:21 Hospice Is About Living

20:23 Palliative vs Hospice Care

23:32 Training Staff for Truth

26:44 Hospice as a Choice

28:15 Signing Up and Opting Out

29:42 Closing Thanks and Location

30:21 Final Wrap Up

https://mirasolhealth.org/

If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.

Maire introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of the cloud9caresystem.com, When patients remain in the same position for extended periods, they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode #119)

When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You)

Marie's Contact [email protected] www.HospiceExplained.com

Finding a Hospice Agency

1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency,

2. choose Find provider

3. Choose Hospice

4. then add your zip code

This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.

178 How to Talk to Someone About Hospice: Communication Tips and Resources

Host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, explains that Hospice Explained is an educational resource and not a substitute for medical advice. She discusses how to communicate about hospice with patients, families, providers, and caregivers: be truthful, expect emotions, keep the focus on the person you're talking to, practice active listening, and use clear, simple language. She recommends asking simple, open-ended questions, pausing to listen, treating the discussion as a collaborative conversation rather than a debate, and being prepared with referrals and plans to find answers together. She suggests pulse.org and fivewishes.org as accessible resources to start end-of-life planning conversations, and encourages listeners to subscribe and share the podcast.

00:00 Welcome & Medical Disclaimer

00:29 Meet Your Host: Why This Podcast Exists

00:42 How to Talk About Hospice: Truth, Emotions & Listening

01:10 Keep It Simple: Questions, Pauses, and Conversation (Not Debate)

01:49 Be Ready With Resources: POLST & Five Wishes

02:47 Wrap-Up: Start the Conversation + Subscribe

polst.org

https://www.fivewishes.org/

If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.

Maire introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of the cloud9caresystem.com, When patients remain in the same position for extended periods, they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode #119)

When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You)

Marie's Contact [email protected] www.HospiceExplained.com

Finding a Hospice Agency

1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency,

2. choose Find provider

3. Choose Hospice

4. then add your zip code

This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.

177 Hospice, Caregiving, and Long-Term Care Planning with Raymond Lavine

Host Marie Betcher, a former hospice nurse and longtime registered nurse, interviews Raymond Lavine, Raymond explains he designs long-term care plans that can help pay for caregiving either at home or in a facility, addressing the common misconception that long-term care insurance is only "nursing home insurance." They discuss caregiver stress and the need to support caregivers with respite and practical help. Raymond outlines how long-term care policies generally work as a pool of money over a set period, often with inflation or cost-of-living features, and notes that benefits may not cover 100% of costs depending on the plan and setting. Raymond advises making incremental home modifications in advance to support aging in place and reduce falls. The episode ends with Raymond offering Zoom, phone, and in-person meetings, directing listeners to his website tools and FAQ features, and Marie encouraging listeners to subscribe and share.

00:00 Welcome + Medical Disclaimer

00:29 Meet Your Host Marie Betcher

00:46 Raymond Lavine's Backstory: Army, Vietnam & Career Path

02:43 What Raymond Does: Long‑Term Care Planning Meets Hospice Reality

04:21 Caregiver Burnout: Supporting the Family, Not Just the Patient

05:50 Does Long‑Term Care Insurance Pay for In‑Home Care or Facilities?

07:28 What Hospice Covers Under Medicare (and What It Doesn't)

11:00 How Long‑Term Care Policies Work: Pools of Money, Inflation Riders & Costs

16:08 Affordable Options When Money's Tight: Life Settlements, Reverse Mortgages & Hybrids

20:12 Avoiding Crisis: Planning, Home Modifications & Real‑World Care Logistics

22:09 Hospice Isn't a Daily Caregiver: Building a Care Team

https://raymondlavineofficial.com/

https://www.lavineltcins.com/

If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.

Maire introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of the cloud9caresystem.com, When patients remain in the same position for extended periods, they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode #119)

When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You)

Marie's Contact [email protected] www.HospiceExplained.com

Finding a Hospice Agency

1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency,

2. choose Find provider

3. Choose Hospice

4. then add your zip code

This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.

176 Hospice Explained: The Five Wishes and Why They Matter

Host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, reviews the "Five Wishes" advance care planning document after a prior episode with Yvonne Caputo. She explains where to find and purchase it (fivewishes.org and agingwithdignity.org), notes it can be notarized, and emphasizes completing it through conversations with loved ones. Marie walks through each wish: choosing the person to make decisions when you can't and clearly sharing your choices with them; deciding what medical treatments you want or don't want (also referencing POLST at polst.org); defining what comfort looks like and where you want to be cared for; how you want people to treat you; and what you want loved ones to know, including expressing love and sharing guidance about personal items and other wishes. She invites listeners to share hospice-related stories by emailing her through hospiceexplained.com, and encourages subscribing and sharing the podcast.

00:00 Welcome & Medical Disclaimer (Start Here)

00:28 Meet Your Host Marie + Why This Podcast Exists

00:41 Recap: Last Week's Guest & Introducing the Five Wishes

01:31 Wish #1: Choose Your Healthcare Decision-Maker

02:14 Wish #2: Treatments You Do (and Don't) Want

02:59 Wish #3: Defining Comfort at the End of Life

03:55 Wish #4: How You Want People to Treat You

04:08 Wish #5: What You Want Loved Ones to Know

05:28 Where to Get Five Wishes + Share Your Story (Closing)

https://www.fivewishes.org/

https://agingwithdignity.org/five-wishes/

If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.

Maire introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of the cloud9caresystem.com, When patients remain in the same position for extended periods, they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode #119)

When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You)

Marie's Contact [email protected] www.HospiceExplained.com

Finding a Hospice Agency

1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency,

2. choose Find provider

3. Choose Hospice

4. then add your zip code

This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.

175 "Dying with Dad": Intimate Conversations and Five Wishes

In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, interviews Yvonne Caputo, a retired teacher, vice president of human resources, corporate trainer, consultant, and psychotherapist. Yvonne discusses her books, 'Flying with Dad' and 'Dying with Dad,' and shares personal stories about having meaningful end-of-life conversations with her father. The episode delves into the emotional and legal aspects of preparing for end-of-life, the significance of the 'Five Wishes' document, and how these conversations can bring profound joy and lessen the burden during grief. Yvonne offers practical advice on how to approach these discussions with loved ones and the impact these preparations had on her family's experiences with death.

00:00 Introduction to Hospice Explained

00:43 Meet Yvonne Caputo: A Multifaceted Professional

01:06 Flying with Dad: A Journey Through WWII Stories

01:15 Dying with Dad: Conversations About End-of-Life Wishes

02:52 The Importance of Advanced Directives

05:57 A Heartfelt Goodbye: Yvonne's Personal Story

12:50 Impact of the Five Wishes Document

21:50 Final Thoughts and Reflections

23:42 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

https://www.fivewishes.org/

https://agingwithdignity.org/five-wishes/

If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.

Maire introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of the cloud9caresystem.com, When patients remain in the same position for extended periods, they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode #119)

When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You)

Marie's Contact [email protected] www.HospiceExplained.com

Finding a Hospice Agency

1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency,

2. choose Find provider

3. Choose Hospice

4. then add your zip code

This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.

174 Facing the Unspoken: Embracing End of Life Conversations

In this episode of 'Hospice Explained,' host Marie Betcher RN , a former hospice nurse with a long nursing experience, emphasizes the significance of addressing end-of-life issues early. She discusses the common problem of late referrals to palliative and hospice care and highlights the need for healthcare providers to facilitate honest, fact-based conversations with patients. This approach allows patients to make informed choices, spend quality time with loved ones, and manage their affairs properly. Marie encourages providers to make these discussions a cooperative dialogue, providing resources and advice to help patients prepare for the end of life. She also invites listeners to share their stories and questions.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

00:28 Meet Your Host: Marie Betcher RN

00:41 Addressing Late Referrals in Hospice Care

01:08 The Importance of dificult Conversations

01:47 Training Gaps in Medical Education

02:09 Empowering Patients with Honest Conversations

02:24 Practical Steps for End-of-Life Planning

03:42 The Role of Healthcare Providers

04:21 Creating a Dialogue, Not a Debate

05:04 Encouraging Hospice Consideration

05:46 Conclusion and Contact Information

If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.

Maire introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of the cloud9caresystem.com, When patients remain in the same position for extended periods, they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode #119)

When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You)

Marie's Contact [email protected] www.HospiceExplained.com

Finding a Hospice Agency

1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency,

2. choose Find provider

3. Choose Hospice

4. then add your zip code

This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.

173 Understanding Palliative Care with Dr. Win Lin Chai

In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN interviews Dr. Win Lin Chai, a palliative care specialist from Malaysia. They discuss the role of palliative care in improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, the importance of early referral, and the challenges faced by healthcare providers in delivering holistic care. Dr. Chai shares insights from her extensive experience, including a touching patient story, and emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to support and understand both patients and their fellow caregivers.

00:00 Introduction to Hospice Explained

00:46 Meet Dr. Win Lin Chai

01:47 Dr. Chai's Journey into Palliative Care

05:26 Understanding Palliative Medicine

06:49 Challenges and Advocacy in Palliative Care

08:23 Palliative Care in Malaysia

21:17 Patient Stories and Impact

27:03 The Importance of Palliative Care

28:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.

Maire introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of the cloud9caresystem.com, When patients remain in the same position for extended periods, they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode #119)

When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You)

If you would, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Marie's Contact [email protected] www.HospiceExplained.com

Finding a Hospice Agency

1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency,

2. choose Find provider

3. Choose Hospice

4. then add your zip code

This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.