The Unsung Heroes: Examining the Role of Chaplains in End-of-Life Care   In episode 131 of Hospice Explained, Marie Betcher RN interviews Dr. Robert Klitzman, a distinguished psychiatrist and author. Dr. Klitzman discusses his latest book, 'Dr. Will You Pray For Me?: Medicine, Chaplains, and Healing the Whole Person' which explores the crucial role of chaplains in providing spiritual, existential, and emotional support to patients and their families during end-of-life care. He shares personal stories, including his sister's death on 9/11, and emphasizes the importance of chaplains in addressing non-medical aspects of patient care, which often go overlooked. The conversation highlights the need for more educational efforts to encourage acceptance of hospice and palliative care, and stresses that chaplains should be recognized as essential members of the healthcare team.   00:00 Introduction to Hospice Explained 00:29 Meet Dr. Robert Klitzman 01:34 Dr. Klitzman's Journey and Insights 03:19 The Role of Chaplains in Healthcare 07:05 Stories of Compassion and Healing 10:06 Challenges and Misunderstandings 14:05 The Importance of Hospice and Palliative Care 25:03 Personal Reflections and Lessons Learned 33:01 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement   Buy Dr. Robert Klitzman's Books:   https://www.klitzman.com/works.htm

 

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.

 Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.   In addition you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link

 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Kacie Gikonyo's Death Doula School https://hospiceexplained--deathdoulaschool.thrivecart.com/death-doula-school/

Affilitate for the Caregiving Years Training Academy: 

https://www.careyearsacademy.com/ref/1096/

 Affiliate for DNA is Love listeners also get a 5% discount!!

https://dnaislove.com/?coupon=hospiceexplained5 

The Death Deck and the E*O*L deck:  https://thedeathdeck.goaffpro.com/

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

130 Understanding Give a Mile and the Power of Final Reunions   In episode 130 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, RN, replays a previous interview with Alison Potter, RN, a palliative care nurse and volunteer at Give a Mile. Alison shares poignant stories and details about the nonprofit organization, which provides free flights to family members wanting to visit loved ones receiving end-of-life care, leveraging billions of unused flight loyalty points. Discussing the importance of family presence during final moments, Alison also touches on the impact of grief and the emotional resonance of their work. Additionally, she speaks about her initiatives in Calgary, including grief support cafes and seminars focused on hospice care, grief, and loss.   00:00 Introduction to Hospice Explained 00:39 Episode 130: Interview with Alison Potter, RN 01:13 The Mission of Give a Mile 02:49 How Give a Mile Operates 10:01 Heartwarming Stories from Give a Mile 17:23 Understanding Grief with Alison Potter, RN 26:04 Supporting Pet Loss and Medical Assistance in Dying 29:33 Conclusion and Resources

 

Alison Potter

Website: https://giveamile.org/

Website: https://expectedoutcome.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-potter-rn-bscn-chpcn-b449064b/?

 

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.

 Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.   In addition you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link

 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Kacie Gikonyo's Death Doula School https://hospiceexplained--deathdoulaschool.thrivecart.com/death-doula-school/

Affilitate for the Caregiving Years Training Academy: 

https://www.careyearsacademy.com/ref/1096/

 Affiliate for DNA is Love listeners also get a 5% discount!!

https://dnaislove.com/?coupon=hospiceexplained5 

The Death Deck and the E*O*L deck:  https://thedeathdeck.goaffpro.com/

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

 

129 Reflecting on End-of-Life Experiences and Looking Forward to 2025 In episode 129 of 'Hospice Explained,' host Marie Betcher, RN, reflects on past guests and her personal experiences with loved ones' end-of-life journeys. As the year 2024 comes to a close, Marie expresses gratitude for her audience and guests, and shares touching memories of her late family members. She opens up about the importance of appreciating life's small moments and encourages listeners to share their own stories to support others in improving the end-of-life experience for their loved ones. Marie also invites audience engagement through email and looks forward to continuing the podcast into 2025.   00:00 Introduction to Hospice Explained 00:38 Reflecting on the Past Year 01:14 Personal Family Memories 02:20 Remembering Loved Ones 03:03 Sharing Your Stories 03:19 Looking Forward to 2025 03:29 Closing Remarks and Call to Action   [email protected]

 

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.

 Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.   In addition you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link

 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Kacie Gikonyo's Death Doula School https://hospiceexplained--deathdoulaschool.thrivecart.com/death-doula-school/

Affilitate for the Caregiving Years Training Academy: 

https://www.careyearsacademy.com/ref/1096/

 Affiliate for DNA is Love listeners also get a 5% discount!!

https://dnaislove.com/?coupon=hospiceexplained5 

The Death Deck and the E*O*L deck:  https://thedeathdeck.goaffpro.com/

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

 

128 Fall Prevention Strategies for the Elderly: Insights from Hospice Explained

Fall Prevention Strategies for the Elderly: Insights from Hospice Explained In episode 128 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, RN, discusses crucial fall prevention strategies for the elderly. She shares a personal experience with falling and highlights various factors contributing to falls, including age, medication, environmental hazards, and pride. Marie emphasizes the importance of clear walking spaces, proper footwear, reviewing medications with healthcare providers, and the benefits of physical therapy. She also advises on handling falls if they occur, especially for hospice patients, and the importance of using tools like the Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form for preventing hospital transport, if needed to get the Fire Dept. for a "Mercy Lift".   00:00 Introduction to Hospice Explained 00:29 Episode Introduction and Host Welcome 00:37 Personal Fall Incident and Initial Thoughts 01:24 Common Causes of Falls 01:41 Environmental and Seasonal Hazards 02:18 Addressing Chronic Conditions and Footwear 03:07 Distractions and Other Fall Risks 04:01 Pride and Mobility Aids 05:33 Practical Tips for Fall Prevention 06:31 Exercise and Physical Therapy 07:28 Concluding Thoughts on Fall Prevention 08:14 Hospice Specific Safety Considerations 09:03 Final Remarks and Podcast Closure

 

 

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.

 Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.   In addition you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link

 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Kacie Gikonyo's Death Doula School https://hospiceexplained--deathdoulaschool.thrivecart.com/death-doula-school/

Affilitate for the Caregiving Years Training Academy: 

https://www.careyearsacademy.com/ref/1096/

 Affiliate for DNA is Love listeners also get a 5% discount!!

https://dnaislove.com/?coupon=hospiceexplained5 

The Death Deck and the E*O*L deck:  https://thedeathdeck.goaffpro.com/

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

 

127 In this episode of 'Hospice Explained,' host Marie Betcher RN discusses end-of-life care and comprehensive advanced care planning with Dr. Josh Lowentritt, a seasoned nephrologist.

They delve into the significance of having hard conversations about patient care preferences, the development of advanced care planning programs with Aledade, and real-life stories demonstrating the impact of these important discussions.

 

00:00 Introduction to Episode 127

00:29 Meet Dr. Josh Lowentritt

03:10 Aledade's Comprehensive Advanced Care Planning

07:13 Implementing the Advanced Care Planning Program

13:19 Personal Anecdote: Dr. Lowentritt’s Family Experience

18:19 End-of-Life Care and Professional Involvement

22:17 Encouraging Comprehensive Discussions

https://aledade.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.

 Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.   In addition you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link

 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Kacie Gikonyo's Death Doula School https://hospiceexplained--deathdoulaschool.thrivecart.com/death-doula-school/

Affilitate for the Caregiving Years Training Academy: 

https://www.careyearsacademy.com/ref/1096/

 Affiliate for DNA is Love listeners also get a 5% discount!!

https://dnaislove.com/?coupon=hospiceexplained5 

The Death Deck and the E*O*L deck:  https://thedeathdeck.goaffpro.com/

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

 

Understanding Caregiver Stress and the Importance of Self-Care   In Episode 126 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN discusses the critical challenges and emotional toll faced by caregivers, especially during busy times like December. She elaborates on the symptoms of caregiver stress burnout, citing a definition from the Cleveland Clinic, and emphasizes the importance of self-care for caregivers. Practical advice is offered on how friends and family can support caregivers, including visiting, running errands, and giving respites. Marie also reminds caregivers to ask for help, join support groups, and prioritize their own health to maintain their caregiving abilities.   00:00 Introduction to Hospice Explained 00:41 Personal Anecdote and Lesson 01:28 Understanding Caregiver Stress 03:39 Supporting Caregivers 04:38 Self-Care Tips for Caregivers 05:46 Conclusion and Call to Action   https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9225-caregiver-burnout

 

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.

 Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.   In addition you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link

 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Kacie Gikonyo's Death Doula School https://hospiceexplained--deathdoulaschool.thrivecart.com/death-doula-school/

Affilitate for the Caregiving Years Training Academy: 

https://www.careyearsacademy.com/ref/1096/

 Affiliate for DNA is Love listeners also get a 5% discount!!

https://dnaislove.com/?coupon=hospiceexplained5 

The Death Deck and the E*O*L deck:  https://thedeathdeck.goaffpro.com/

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

 

Episode 125: Understanding End of Life - Interview with Dr. Cynthia X. Pan In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher interviews Dr. Cynthia X. Pan, an expert in hospice and palliative care. Dr. Pan shares insights into how to approach end-of-life conversations, the importance of opening dialogue, and the cultural nuances that come with discussing advanced directives. With a mix of profound personal stories and humor, this episode sheds light on the significance of end-of-life care and the lessons we can learn from those at the end of their journeys.   00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 00:36 Introduction of Dr. Pan and Advisory Warning 00:59 Dr. Pan's Background and Expertise 02:50 Dr. Pan's Book: Exit Strategies 08:15 Facing End of Life: Cultural Perspectives 10:28 Giving Permission for Conversations 18:40 Patient Stories and Humor 16:32 Importance of Early End of Life Conversations 28:14 Learning from Patients 30:51 Conclusion and Farewell

https://booksirens.com/book/QUTAYXH

 

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.

 Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.   In addition you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link

 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Kacie Gikonyo's Death Doula School https://hospiceexplained--deathdoulaschool.thrivecart.com/death-doula-school/

Affilitate for the Caregiving Years Training Academy: 

https://www.careyearsacademy.com/ref/1096/

 Affiliate for DNA is Love listeners also get a 5% discount!!

https://dnaislove.com/?coupon=hospiceexplained5 

The Death Deck and the E*O*L deck:  https://thedeathdeck.goaffpro.com/

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

 

Supporting Charities that Aid Hospice Patients and Their Loved Ones   In episode 124 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, RN, highlights several charitable organizations that support hospice patients and their families. These include Pet Peace of Mind, which helps keep hospice patients and their pets together; Living Room International, which provides hospice and palliative care services in Western Kenya; and Give a Mile, which uses donated travel miles to enable loved ones to visit hospice patients. Marie encourages listeners to consider supporting these causes and reminds them to consult their physicians for medical advice. 00:00 Introduction to Hospice Explained 00:37 Highlighting Charities: Pet Peace of Mind 01:16 Highlighting Charities: Living Room International 02:05 Highlighting Charities: Give a Mile 02:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

 

https://www.petpeaceofmind.org/

https://www.livingroominternational.org/

https://giveamile.org/

 

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.

 Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.   In addition you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link

 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Kacie Gikonyo's Death Doula School https://hospiceexplained--deathdoulaschool.thrivecart.com/death-doula-school/

Affilitate for the Caregiving Years Training Academy: 

https://www.careyearsacademy.com/ref/1096/

 Affiliate for DNA is Love listeners also get a 5% discount!!

https://dnaislove.com/?coupon=hospiceexplained5 

The Death Deck and the E*O*L deck:  https://thedeathdeck.goaffpro.com/

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

 

123: Pet Peace of Mind: Compassionate Care for Pets and Their Terminally Ill Owners

In this episode of 'Hospice Explained,' host Marie Betcher, RN, interviews Christy Bork, the National Program Manager for Pet Peace of Mind. Christy shares the mission and operations of this national nonprofit organization, which helps keep hospice patients and their pets together while also providing rehoming services when needed. With over 20 years of experience in volunteerism and nonprofit work, Christy details how Pet Peace of Mind supports hospice patients by training volunteers to care for their pets and ensuring they find loving homes after the patients' passing. Heartwarming stories and insights into the unique human-animal bond highlight the episode, emphasizing the program's impact on easing patients' anxiety about their pets' future.

00:00 Introduction to Hospice Explained

00:36 Meet Christy Bork and PET Peace of Mind

02:20 How PET Peace of Mind Works

04:37 Volunteer Recruitment and Training

07:18 Rehoming Pets and Patient Stories

13:36 Planning for Your Pet's Future

18:56 Supporting PET Peace of Mind

24:36 Final Thoughts and Farewell

https://www.petpeaceofmind.org/

 

 

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.

 Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.   In addition you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link

 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Kacie Gikonyo's Death Doula School https://hospiceexplained--deathdoulaschool.thrivecart.com/death-doula-school/

Affilitate for the Caregiving Years Training Academy: 

https://www.careyearsacademy.com/ref/1096/

 Affiliate for DNA is Love listeners also get a 5% discount!!

https://dnaislove.com/?coupon=hospiceexplained5 

The Death Deck and the E*O*L deck:  https://thedeathdeck.goaffpro.com/

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

 

The Blessings of Hospice: A Conversation with Andrew T. Shaw In episode 122 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN revisits episode number 49, featuring author Andrew T. Shaw. Andrew, a retired teacher and licensed realtor, shares his profound experiences during his father's last week on hospice and integrates those into his audiobook, 'Cheers Dad, Blessings from his last week in hospice.' The discussion includes Andrew's reflections on the importance of hospice care, navigating the emotional journey, and his family's touching story of love and resilience. They emphasize planning end-of-life care and the essential role of communication. 00:00 Introduction to Hospice Explained 00:46 Meet Andrew T. Shaw 02:22 Andrew's Journey with Hospice 06:18 The Importance of Early Hospice Care 11:30 Challenges and Strengths During Hospice 17:42 Final Days and Reflections 26:42 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

Andrew’s Audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/Cheers-Dad-Audiobook/B0BKR4JBPD

 

CHEERS, DAD: Blessings from his last week in Hospice by Andrew T. Shaw: https://amzn.to/3CBiTmd

 

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.

 Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information

Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.   In addition you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link

 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice

Kacie Gikonyo's Death Doula School https://hospiceexplained--deathdoulaschool.thrivecart.com/death-doula-school/

Affilitate for the Caregiving Years Training Academy: 

https://www.careyearsacademy.com/ref/1096/

 Affiliate for DNA is Love listeners also get a 5% discount!!

https://dnaislove.com/?coupon=hospiceexplained5 

The Death Deck and the E*O*L deck:  https://thedeathdeck.goaffpro.com/

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