For the next two episodes, we tackle a tough conversation topic - grief and its impact on children and teens. The loss of a loved one impacts every family unit, and knowing how to nurture open communication with children and teens about grief can be incredibly uncomfortable and overwhelming. In this first episode, Grief Support Specialist Shelley Kirby turns our attention to the grief we experience before a loss - called anticipatory grief - and how this type of grief can impact children and teens emotionally, physically and behaviorally. Shelley also equips us with practical conversation starters and other helpful strategies to more quickly recognize grief and support grieving children and teens in the face of impending loss and changing family dynamics.

Episode two will publish at the end of August, so be sure to tune in for the remainder of our conversation as shift our focus to the grief children and teens can experience after a loss.

Guest Bio:

Shelley Kirby, BSW, received her degree from Appalachian State University. She joined Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of Randolph in 2013. Over the last 12 years, she has supported numerous individuals and families in a variety of roles. As a hospice social worker Shelley supports hospice patients and families at end of life, and as a Grief Support Specialist, she provides support to grieving students in the school setting. Shelley has been married to her husband, Rodney, for 30 years, and they have two adult children.

Research article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22950336/

About The E-Series:

Presented by Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of Randolph, The E-Series is an educational webinar series aimed at engaging our community, exploring relevant topics and educating about ways to connect with our organization. Funding for The E-Series is provided by the Dr. John A. Lusk Fund for Hospice and Palliative Care Education. For more information about the E-Series, visit www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org.

In today's episode, we highlight a few moments from the field with our hospice volunteers. Mike Key, a We Honor Veteran patient volunteer, and Charles Carter, a caregiver respite and patient volunteer, have logged nearly 50 years combined service with the organization and impacted countless families in meaningful ways.

If you'd like to learn more about how you can get involved as a hospice volunteer, join us for our next Volunteer Information Meeting on July 8 at Hospice of the Piedmont (High Point, NC) followed by our next Volunteer Training on July 14 & 16. For more information and to register, visit the Events page at www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org!

FOX8 Founder's Day of Caring Volunteer Story:

https://myfox8.com/community/founders-day-of-caring/volunteers-are-essential-to-hospice-care-in-piedmont-triad/

FOX8 Founder's Day of Caring Veteran Pinning Ceremony Story:

https://myfox8.com/video/pinning-ceremony-held-for-ww2-veteran-in-hospice/10822957/

Presented by Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of Randolph, The E-Series is an educational webinar series aimed at engaging our community, exploring relevant topics and educating about ways to connect with our organization. Funding for The E-Series is provided by the Dr. John A. Lusk Fund for Hospice and Palliative Care Education. For more information about the E-Series, visit www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org.

In this final installment of our Empowering Caregivers mini-series, we'll rejoin Licensed Clinical Social Workers Kat Gibson and Caroline Oxford as they tackle how to navigate the caregiving role and the relationship changes that take place between the caregiver and the one they are caring for. It can be a difficult balancing act trying to discern when to step in and intervene, when to support independence and how to talk thru these challenging transitions.

Previous episodes in this E-Series:

Episode 1 - Equip Yourself with Knowledge

https://soundcloud.com/user-250030816/empowering-caregivers-episode-1

Episode 2 - Caring for Yourself and Building a Support Team

https://soundcloud.com/user-250030816/empowering-caregivers-episode-2

Guest Bios:

Kat Gibson, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C, is the Vice President of Clinical Services for Hospice of the Piedmont. She is a graduate of the Joint Master of Social Work Program through the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and recently obtained her Advance Palliative and Hospice Social Work Certification. She has worked with Hospice of the Piedmont since 2016.

Caroline Oxford, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C, is the Director of Family Care Services for Hospice of the Piedmont. She earned her undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University followed by a Master of Social Work through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Divinity through Duke Divinity School. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked with Hospice of the Piedmont since 2016.

Explore Caregiving Companion!

Caregiving Companion (www.caregivingcompanion.com) is an incredible new and free resource for family caregivers at any stage of their caregiving journey. This one-of-a-kind interactive web application allows caregivers to unlock a world of resources including blogs and articles with audio and video options. Caregiving Companion provides a friendly space that acknowledges the challenges of caregiving and gives caregivers a chance to discover great information that will help build their skills and self-confidence.

About The E-Series:

Presented by Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of Randolph, The E-Series is an educational webinar series aimed at engaging our community, exploring relevant topics and educating about ways to connect with our organization. Funding for The E-Series is provided by the Dr. John A. Lusk Fund for Hospice and Palliative Care Education. For more information about the E-Series, visit www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org.

This episode is part two of a three-part mini-series on Empowering Caregivers. Throughout this mini-series, Licensed Clinical Social Workers - Kat Gibson and Caroline Oxford - have candid conversations and dive into essential pillars of caregiver empowerment that can transform how you approach the caregiver role. In this episode, we rejoin Kat and Caroline as they unpack the positive impact of caregivers taking care of themselves - including establishing a support network to help sustain them throughout their caregiver journey.

To listen to Episode 1 - Equip Yourself with Knowledge, copy and paste this link:

https://soundcloud.com/user-250030816/empowering-caregivers-episode-1

Guest Bios:

Kat Gibson, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C, is the Vice President of Clinical Services for Hospice of the Piedmont. She is a graduate of the Joint Master of Social Work Program through the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and recently obtained her Advance Palliative and Hospice Social Work Certification. She has worked with Hospice of the Piedmont since 2016.

Caroline Oxford, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C, is the Director of Family Care Services for Hospice of the Piedmont. She earned her undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University followed by a Master of Social Work through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Divinity through Duke Divinity School. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked with Hospice of the Piedmont since 2016.

Presented by Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of Randolph, The E-Series is an educational webinar series aimed at engaging our community, exploring relevant topics and educating about ways to connect with our organization. Funding for The E-Series is provided by the Dr. John A. Lusk Fund for Hospice and Palliative Care Education. For more information about the E-Series, visit www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org.

This episode is the first of a three-part mini-series on Empowering Caregivers. Whether you're a family caregiver, a professional in the field, or simply someone looking to be better informed and empathetic for a caregiver you know, this mini-series is designed to inspire, inform, and ultimately empower you in your role.

Throughout this mini-series, Licensed Clinical Social Workers - Kat Gibson and Caroline Oxford - have candid conversations and dive into three essential pillars of caregiver empowerment that can transform how you approach the caregiver role. In this first installment, they focus on empowering caregivers with knowledge. This conversation includes strategies for managing a loved one's diagnosis, the importance of understanding the disease process, helpful tips for preparing for doctor's appointments, legal and financial aspects of caregiving and much more.

Guest Bios:

Kat Gibson, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C, is the Vice President of Clinical Services for Hospice of the Piedmont. She is a graduate of the Joint Master of Social Work Program through the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and recently obtained her Advance Palliative and Hospice Social Work Certification. She has worked with Hospice of the Piedmont since 2016.

Caroline Oxford, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C, is the Director of Family Care Services for Hospice of the Piedmont. She earned her undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University followed by a Master of Social Work through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Divinity through Duke Divinity School. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked with Hospice of the Piedmont since 2016.

Presented by Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of Randolph, The E-Series is an educational webinar series aimed at engaging our community, exploring relevant topics and educating about ways to connect with our organization. Funding for The E-Series is provided by the Dr. John A. Lusk Fund for Hospice and Palliative Care Education. For more information about the E-Series, visit www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org.

Listen to this quick preview for highlights about the launch of Caregiving Companion (an incredible new resource for caregivers - www.caregivingcompanion.org) and our upcoming Caregiver Empowerment mini-series that begins next week!

Presented by Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of Randolph, The E-Series is an educational webinar series aimed at engaging our community, exploring relevant topics and educating about ways to connect with our organization. Funding for The E-Series is provided by the Dr. John A. Lusk Fund for Hospice and Palliative Care Education. For more information about the E-Series, visit www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org.

In this special episode of The E-Series, host Ryan Biagini has a candid conversation with caregiver Ron Coleman about the complexities of role reversal and caring for an aging parent. Together, they explore the deep and conflicting emotions that can surface as care roles shift and the importance of acknowledging and normalizing these challenges.

Guest Bio: Ron is an experienced caregiver and has served as a hospice volunteer for 7 years. He has a blended family with six children, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. After retiring in 2011, he spent 16 years as a DivorceCare facilitator. He enjoys being active in his church, volunteering in the community, writing, cooking and fishing.

Presented by Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of Randolph, The E-Series is an educational webinar series aimed at engaging our community, exploring relevant topics and educating about ways to connect with our organization. Funding for The E-Series is provided by the Dr. John A. Lusk Fund for Hospice and Palliative Care Education. For more information about the E-Series, visit www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org.

In this final episode of 2024, we are not only looking back at a few of our most listened to episodes of the year, but we are also getting to hear from some of our faithful listeners and former guests as they weigh in on these conversations about what most resonated with them.

Top Streamed Episodes of 2024:

#4 - Life after Loss: How Caregiving Impacts the Grief Journey

https://www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org/eseries/life-after-loss/

#3 - The E-Series: Parentification and Role Reversal in Caregiving

https://www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org/eseries/the-e-series-parentification-and-role-reversal-in-caregiving/

#2 - A Caregiver's Story

https://www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org/eseries/the-e-series-a-caregivers-story-carla/

#1 - Understanding Restlessness at End of Life: A Practical Approach

https://www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org/eseries/the-e-series-understanding-restlessness/

In our latest episode of The E-Series, Hospice of the Piedmont CEO Trent Cockerham joins us for a special conversation focused on caregivers. Over the past few years, our organization has sought to learn as much as possible about the caregiving experience in America with a goal of being informed of the ages, stages and challenges caregivers face so that we can be part of establishing creative resources for caregivers throughout the communities we serve.

Show Notes:

- Do you or a loved one have dementia? Go to https://www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org/programs/palliative-care/care-connection-dementia-care/ to learn more about support through our Care Connection Dementia Care program.

- Are you a caregiver? If so, we'd love to hear from you and support you! Go to https://www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org/programs/caregiver-advocates/ to learn more!

Presented by Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of Randolph, The E-Series is an educational webinar series aimed at engaging our community, exploring relevant topics and educating about ways to connect with our organization. Funding for The E-Series is provided by the Dr. John A. Lusk Fund for Hospice and Palliative Care Education. For more information about the E-Series, visit www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org.

The CDC estimates that more than 129 million Americans (about 40% of the population) are living with at least one chronic disease. In this conversation, CEO Trent Cockerham and Hospice Physician Dr. Gene Freeman explore the progression of chronic diseases, the impact the conditions can have on an individual's psychological and emotional health, and the importance of self-advocacy and a proactive approach to connecting with helpful resources when managing a chronic condition.

GUEST BIO:

Dr. Gene Freeman - Prior to medical school, Dr. Freeman received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Anatomy at The Ohio State University. He completed his undergraduate medical education and received his Doctor of Medicine degree at the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University. He completed his residency in Family Medicine at the Washington Health System in Washington, PA and completed a graduate medical fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the University of Virginia Health System. Dr. Freeman holds current board certifications in both Family Medicine as well as Hospice & Palliative Medicine. Most recently, prior to joining Hospice of the Piedmont in 2023, Dr. Freeman was an integral member of the palliative medicine team at Cone Health. He finds great meaning in the opportunity to sit and learn what someone values most and then working with the individual and their loved ones to determine what is the best way to honor those values.

LINKS:

- CDC Article: https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2024/23_0267.htm#:~:text=An%20estimated%20129%20million%20people,and%20Human%20Services%20(2)

- Are you a caregiver? If so, we'd love to hear from you and support you! Go to https://www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org/programs/caregiver-advocates/ to learn more!

Presented by Hospice of the Piedmont and Hospice of Randolph, The E-Series is an educational webinar series aimed at engaging our community, exploring relevant topics and educating about ways to connect with our organization. Funding for The E-Series is provided by the Dr. John A. Lusk Fund for Hospice and Palliative Care Education. For more information about the E-Series, visit www.hospiceofthepiedmont.org.