Lighting the Path: A New Concept of Hospice Care

How do you advocate for an aging parent while making sure their voice remains at the center of the conversation?

In this episode of Lighting the Path, guest Tara Shuler explores the conversations that come with supporting a parent through the later years of life. From healthcare appointments to family decisions, Tara shares ways to clarify goals, ask purposeful questions, and keep difficult discussions focused.

Drawing on her experience as a corporate trainer and personal caregiver for her mom, Tara discusses how to communicate with your parent, their healthcare team, and other people involved in their care. She encourages caregivers to begin with a clear understanding of what they hope to accomplish—and to ask questions that help everyone move toward that goal.

One simple practice she recommends is reviewing appointments with your parent by asking, "What did you hear?" and then, "What do you want?" These questions create space to understand both your parent's interpretation of the conversation and their wishes moving forward.

The episode also explores the role of siblings and other stakeholders. Rather than assuming you know what someone is thinking, Tara encourages asking questions to understand their perspective. She also offers tips for keeping conversations under control when emotions, competing priorities, or differing opinions threaten to pull them off course.

Tara Shuler is a corporate trainer, keynote speaker, author, and founder of ConvoControl, where she teaches communication skills to sales teams, leaders, and other professionals. Her book, Parenting A Parent: Controlling the Conversation Through the Role Reversal, draws on seven years of caring for her mother and applies her conversation framework to the challenges of supporting an aging parent. Her work helps caregivers approach difficult discussions about medical care, independence, finances, and family decisions.

• Connect with Harbor Hospice & Beacon Hospice:

  • Follow Harbor Hospice on Facebook. Follow Beacon Hospice on Facebook.
  • For more information about Harbor Hospice, please visit harborhospice.com
  • For more information about Beacon Hospice, please visit beacon.life
  • For more information about HarborCare & BeaconCare Palliative Services, please visit myharborcare.com
  • Please send your questions or comments to the podcast host at [email protected].

What does it mean to advocate for someone you love during a healthcare journey? In this episode of Lighting the Path, Robin Shapiro defines patient advocacy and explores how caregivers can speak up, ask questions, and support the person in their care.

Robin and Jerry discuss how healthcare has changed over the years—and why advocacy matters more than ever. She offers practical tips for caregivers, describes signs that it may be time to bring in a professional advocate, and explains why an independent advocate is worth considering.

For caregiver checklists, Robin recommends The Care Partner Project. HealthAdvocateX is also hosting a free advance care planning webinar on October 7; registration is available at HealthAdvocateX.org.

• Connect with Harbor Hospice & Beacon Hospice:

  • Follow Harbor Hospice on Facebook. Follow Beacon Hospice on Facebook.
  • For more information about Harbor Hospice, please visit harborhospice.com
  • For more information about Beacon Hospice, please visit beacon.life
  • For more information about HarborCare & BeaconCare Palliative Services, please visit myharborcare.com
  • Please send your questions or comments to the podcast host at [email protected].

Who would speak for you if you experienced a medical emergency and could not make healthcare decisions for yourself?

In this episode, Robin Shapiro of Well Said Health joins us to discuss how to choose a healthcare proxy—the person you authorize to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you lose the ability to communicate or make informed choices.

Robin Shapiro is the founder of Well Said Health and a passionate advocate for helping individuals and families communicate clearly about healthcare choices.

Robin explains why this is not only an issue for older adults or people with serious illness. She encourages adults to put a healthcare proxy in place when they turn 18, especially before leaving home for college.

Robin offers practical guidance for selecting the right person, including the importance of choosing someone who:

• Understands your values, goals, and priorities

• Can remain calm during an emergency or emotionally difficult situation

• Is willing to speak up and advocate for your wishes

• Can communicate effectively with clinicians and family members

• Will honor your preferences, even if those preferences differ from their own beliefs

• Is available and willing to accept the responsibility

The conversation also addresses an equally important question: what should you talk about after selecting a proxy? Robin shares the kinds of values, treatment preferences, fears, hopes, and quality-of-life considerations that can help a proxy make decisions with greater confidence. Naming someone is important, but having ongoing conversations with that person is what gives the appointment real meaning.

For people who do not have a trusted family member or friend available to serve in this role, Robin discusses the option of hiring a professional advocate. These professionals can help represent a person's stated wishes and provide informed, independent support when healthcare decisions need to be made.

Robin also recommends resources that can help individuals and families begin these often difficult—but deeply meaningful—conversations.

• Robin Shapiro / Well Said Health: WellSaidHealth.com

• Free webinar: How to Create Your Own Healthcare Proxy October 7, presented through HealthAdvocateX

• HealthAdvocateX: HealthAdvocateX

• Connect with Harbor Hospice & Beacon Hospice:

  • Follow Harbor Hospice on Facebook. Follow Beacon Hospice on Facebook.
  • For more information about Harbor Hospice, please visit harborhospice.com
  • For more information about Beacon Hospice, please visit beacon.life
  • For more information about HarborCare & BeaconCare Palliative Services, please visit myharborcare.com
  • Please send your questions or comments to the podcast host at [email protected].

Communicating with a person living with dementia is about far more than choosing the "right" words. In this episode, we welcome back Hollie Lowe, Certified Dementia Practitioner, for a practical and compassionate conversation about using communication to reduce distress, preserve dignity, and strengthen connection.

Hollie explains why a caregiver's body language can be just as important as verbal communication. Facial expression, posture, tone, pace, physical proximity, and the way we approach someone can either help them feel safe—or unintentionally create confusion, resistance, or fear.

You'll hear actionable guidance for caregivers, hospice professionals, family members, and anyone supporting a person with dementia. Hollie shares ways to use body language and simple communication techniques to help a person understand and follow directions while still being treated with respect. She also reminds us that effective dementia care requires patience: slowing down, allowing time for processing, and resisting the urge to correct, argue, or rush.

Whether you are caring for a spouse, parent, patient, resident, or friend, this conversation offers practical tools for responding with greater calm, confidence, compassion, and understanding.

• James L. West Center for Dementia Care

• James L. West Center for Dementia Care YouTube channel

• Free dementia education course for professional caregivers through the James L. West Center for Dementia Care

• Connect with Harbor Hospice & Beacon Hospice:

  • Follow Harbor Hospice on Facebook. Follow Beacon Hospice on Facebook.
  • For more information about Harbor Hospice, please visit harborhospice.com
  • For more information about Beacon Hospice, please visit beacon.life
  • For more information about HarborCare & BeaconCare Palliative Services, please visit myharborcare.com
  • Please send your questions or comments to the podcast host at [email protected].

Dementia affects far more than memory. It can change how a person understands language, finds words, follows a conversation, expresses needs, interprets their surroundings, and connects with the people they love.

In this episode of Lighting the Path, we welcome Hollie Lowe, LPC, Director of Education and Family Support Services at the James L. West Center for Dementia Care in Fort Worth, Texas. Hollie is a dementia-care expert and certified grief counseling specialist who helps families and professionals better understand the challenges of dementia.

You'll hear practical communication guidance for caregivers and healthcare professionals. Most importantly, this conversation reminds us that even when communication changes, every person deserves to feel safe, respected, and connected.

For more information about the James L. West Center for Dementia Care and the free Dementia Specialist Certification, visit www.jameslwest.org.

• Connect with Harbor Hospice & Beacon Hospice:

  • Follow Harbor Hospice on Facebook. Follow Beacon Hospice on Facebook.
  • For more information about Harbor Hospice, please visit harborhospice.com
  • For more information about Beacon Hospice, please visit beacon.life
  • For more information about HarborCare & BeaconCare Palliative Services, please visit myharborcare.com
  • Please send your questions or comments to the podcast host at [email protected].

In this episode, we highlight the Harbor Foundation's Butterfly Release, a free, family-friendly event that supports hospice patients and their families. Learn how this meaningful gathering brings the community together to honor loved ones, celebrate life, and create moments of hope and healing. We also share how the purchase of butterflies and t-shirts helps fund compassionate care for those navigating end-of-life journeys. The Harbor Foundation supports the community through hardship grants, Bravehearts grief kits for children, and scholarships for high school seniors, nursing students and social work students. The butterfly release takes place on Saturday, August 8 at the Downtown Event Centre in Beaumont, Texas from 11:00am - 1:00pm. Visit the website at harborfoundation.com to pre-order t-shirts and butterflies, or purchases can be made at the event while supplies last.

• Connect with Harbor Hospice & Beacon Hospice:

  • Follow Harbor Hospice on Facebook. Follow Beacon Hospice on Facebook.
  • For more information about Harbor Hospice, please visit harborhospice.com
  • For more information about Beacon Hospice, please visit beacon.life
  • For more information about HarborCare & BeaconCare Palliative Services, please visit myharborcare.com
  • Please send your questions or comments to the podcast host at [email protected].

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Jerry Woodbridge, author and advocate for children navigating grief. Drawing from both professional insight and personal experience, Dr. Woodbridge shares a powerful perspective on how pre-teens process loss—and why their grief often goes misunderstood.

We explore the unique ways children respond to grief, including behaviors that may surprise caregivers, such as anxiety and panic attacks. Dr. Woodbridge speaks candidly about her own son's experience after the death of his father, offering a deeply personal look at how grief can manifest when children lack the language to express what they are feeling.

Her book, Joy Overcomes Sorrow, was written to meet children where they are. Centered on the story of a 10-year-old girl experiencing profound loss, the book serves not only as a resource for grieving children but also as a tool to help children who have not experienced loss develop empathy and emotional awareness.

Dr. Woodbridge also shares the challenges she faced while writing for this age group, and how her journey as both a mother and author shaped the message of her work. In addition, she introduces her newest book, which focuses on sibling loss—an often overlooked but deeply impactful experience for children.

This conversation offers valuable insight for caregivers, chaplains, counselors, and anyone supporting children through grief.

Resources & Links:

• Dr. Jerry Woodbridge's website: DrJerryLWoodbridge.com

• Books by Dr. Jerry Woodbridge (available on Amazon)

• Connect with Harbor Hospice & Beacon Hospice:

  • Follow Harbor Hospice on Facebook. Follow Beacon Hospice on Facebook.
  • For more information about Harbor Hospice, please visit harborhospice.com
  • For more information about Beacon Hospice, please visit beacon.life
  • For more information about HarborCare & BeaconCare Palliative Services, please visit myharborcare.com
  • Please send your questions or comments to the podcast host at [email protected].

In this deeply personal and insightful episode, Dr. Jerry L. Woodbridge—educator, author of children's books on grief, and widow—talks about her journey through loss after the death of her husband in 2004. With honesty and wisdom, Dr. Woodbridge shares how grief showed up in unexpected ways and how she learned to navigate the emotional "buzz" that often accompanies profound loss.

One of the most powerful tools in her healing process was writing. She describes her thoughts and emotions as "bees buzzing" in her mind—constant, overwhelming, and difficult to quiet. Through writing, she found a way to give those feelings shape, focus, and release. What began as a personal coping mechanism eventually grew into meaningful work helping others, especially children, understand and express their grief.

Dr. Woodbridge also offers compassionate guidance for those walking their own grief journey. Her approach is gentle, practical, and accessible—reminding listeners that grief does not have to be faced alone or without tools for expression.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How grief can feel overwhelming and disorganized, especially in the early stages

• The role of writing as a therapeutic and spiritual practice in processing loss

• How personal grief experiences can shape meaningful work and ministry

• Two simple, practical suggestions for navigating grief in daily life

Whether you are grieving, supporting someone who is, or serving in a caregiving role, this conversation offers both validation and practical insight for the journey.

To learn more about Dr. Woodbridge please visit her website here; Dr. Jerry L. Woodbridge

Connect with Harbor Hospice & Beacon Hospice:

• Follow Harbor Hospice on Facebook. Follow Beacon Hospice on Facebook.
• For more information about Harbor Hospice, please visit harborhospice.com
• For more information about Beacon Hospice, please visit beacon.life
• For more information about HarborCare & BeaconCare Palliative Services, please visit myharborcare.com
• Please send your questions or comments to the podcast host at [email protected].

In this episode, host Jerry Fenter welcomes Katie Ransdell, a certified child life specialist and founder of Grief Garden, for a thoughtful conversation about supporting children through grief.

Katie shares the personal and professional journey that led her to create Grief Garden, a space designed to help children process loss in developmentally appropriate and compassionate ways. Drawing from her expertise, she explains how children of different ages understand death and grief, and why their responses can look very different from those of adults.

A key part of Katie's work is play therapy, which allows children to express emotions they may not yet have the words for. She offers insight into the tools and techniques she uses, as well as how her virtual playroom extends support to children who cannot meet in person. This innovative approach creates safe, interactive opportunities for healing regardless of location.

Katie also provides practical guidance for adults—parents, caregivers, chaplains, and professionals—on how to better support grieving children. She highlights the importance of recognizing that children grieve differently than adults and recommends a helpful video from Child Bereavement UK that illustrates these differences. Films, books and resources | Child Bereavement UK

The conversation also explores often-overlooked grief experiences, such as when a child is mourning someone outside their immediate family, like a friend or neighbor. Katie emphasizes the importance of validating these losses and not minimizing their impact.

One powerful takeaway is Katie's perspective on how children struggle with emotional regulation when confronted with hurtful comments. She challenges the common expectation that the grieving child should be the one to forgive, encouraging adults instead to model accountability and advocate for appropriate apologies.

This episode offers valuable insight and practical tools for anyone walking alongside children in grief.

Learn more about Katie's work at griefgarden.com.

Connect with Harbor Hospice & Beacon Hospice:

• Follow Harbor Hospice on Facebook. Follow Beacon Hospice on Facebook.
• For more information about Harbor Hospice, please visit harborhospice.com
• For more information about Beacon Hospice, please visit beacon.life
• For more information about HarborCare & BeaconCare Palliative Services, please visit myharborcare.com
• Please send your questions or comments to the podcast host at [email protected].

In this episode, we sit down with child life specialist Katie Ransdell to explore how children experience grief and how hospice professionals can better support them. Katie shares her journey into the field of child life, practical insights for working with grieving children, and meaningful stories from her work that highlight the power of presence and connection.

About Our Guest

Katie Ransdell is a certified child life specialist dedicated to supporting children and families through serious illness, grief, and loss. Her work focuses on helping children express emotions, understand complex experiences, and feel seen and supported during difficult times.

Episode Summary

What does it look like to truly support a grieving child? Child life specialist Katie Ransdell joins us to share her expertise in helping children navigate serious illness, loss, and grief. With compassion and clarity, Katie explains how her role developed, what child life specialists actually do, and how hospice teams can provide developmentally appropriate, emotionally attuned care to children.

Whether you are a chaplain, social worker, nurse, or volunteer, this conversation offers practical tools and heartfelt encouragement for engaging children during some of life's most difficult moments.

What You'll Learn

• How Katie Ransdell became a child life specialist and what drew her to this work

• The role of a child life specialist in supporting children through illness, death, and grief

• Common misconceptions about how children understand death at different developmental stages

• Practical ways hospice professionals can show up for grieving children with confidence and compassion

• The importance of play, language, and presence in helping children process loss

• Memorable stories from Katie's work that illustrate the impact of simple, meaningful connection

Key Takeaways

• Children grieve differently than adults, and their understanding of death evolves with age and development

• Honest, age-appropriate communication builds trust and reduces fear

• Presence matters more than having the "right" words

• Small interactions—through play, art, or conversation—can have lasting impact

• Hospice teams can support both children and their caregivers by modeling openness and emotional safety

You can learn more about Katie and her organization, Grief Garden, at Grief Garden | Children's grief support | Omaha, NE, USA

Connect with Harbor Hospice & Beacon Hospice:

• Follow Harbor Hospice on Facebook. Follow Beacon Hospice on Facebook.
• For more information about Harbor Hospice, please visit harborhospice.com
• For more information about Beacon Hospice, please visit beacon.life
• For more information about HarborCare & BeaconCare Palliative Services, please visit myharborcare.com
• Please send your questions or comments to the podcast host at [email protected].