In this 3rd episode of the Fact or Fiction series, we’re talking about the problem-solvers of the interdisciplinary team - social workers. Social workers are a vital part of hospice care.  There’s a lot of misinformation about the role of a social worker so we’re sharing the facts about what they really do.  Social workers act as advocates for patients and families, and help families access resources to make caregiving easier.  Offering grief counseling is also a big part of what social workers do.  Social workers often facilitate family conferences to help with big decisions or help resolve disagreements among family members about how a patient’s care should be handled.  They provide a crucial component of the care of a hospice patient.   At theheartofhospice.com you’ll find more information about interdisciplinary teams and their work to care for seriously ill patients.  Whether it’s information about hospice philosophy or understand the roles of every person on the team, The Heart of Hospice has content that can help.  You’ll find podcasts discussing everything from hospice 101 and philosophy to self care for both personal and professional caregivers.  Send any questions you might have to [email protected].  No matter where you are in your hospice journey, you are The Heart of Hospice.

We're thrilled to talk with our guest Shaun O’Leary, Joint CEO of St. Christopher’s Hospice in London as he shares how St. Christopher’s is building on its rich history to move hospice care forward into the future.  Founded by Dame Cicely Saunders, St. Christopher’s was the first modern hospice center and acted as a model for hospice care in the U.S.  Shaun uses the wisdom he’s acquired over 15 years of working in end of life care to steer St. Christopher’s Hospice.  He acknowledges there are challenges that hospice agencies in the U.K. face, such as fund raising, misinformation, and the need for community education about hospice philosophy.  St. Christopher’s is providing that education through a brand new center - the Centre for Awareness and Response to End of Life (CARE).  The CARE Centre opened on January 15 of 2021. According to the St. Christopher’s website, visitors can “enjoy viewing art exhibitions, participate in a book club or simply take some time out in one of the many quiet and intimate spaces included in the building.  The high-tech Skills Lab provides a facility for doctors, nurses and carers to demonstrate practical skills such as using a syringe driver or moving someone safely in a bed. With cameras fitted all around this space, learners of all kinds will be able to access a fully immersive experience.”  You can find more information about St. Christopher’s history and CARE by visiting their website: stchristophers.org.uk.  To find more podcasts from The Heart of Hospice, visit theheartofhospice.com.  We’re here to support your hospice journey, with support and encouragement. There’s information on advance care planning, self care, caregiving, and the basics of hospice philosophy.  No matter where you are in your hospice journey, The Heart of Hospice is here to help. 

The hospice physician and nurse practitioner play key roles in the care of hospice patients. In today's episode we’re sharing facts about what the hospice doc and NP really do.  It’s important to remember the patient (or a designated decision maker) is in charge of the care the patient receives.  The hospice physician or the attending doctor the patient chooses guides the hospice plan of care.  The nurse practitioner sometimes works alongside the hospice doctor to provide an additional layer of care, often performing Face to Face visits that Medicare requires to recertify a patient for continuing hospice services.  The hospice physician and NP collaborate closely with the other members of the hospice interdisciplinary team to provide the best possible care for seriously ill patients.  Find more information about the members of the hospice team and the care they provide to patients and their caregivers at theheartofhospice.com.    We’d love to hear from you - send questions to Helen and Jerry at [email protected].  Your end of life journey matters.  We never forget.  You are The Heart of Hospice. 

Do you know what a hospice nurse really does? In the first episode of our Fact or Fiction series, we’re sharing the facts about hospice nursing - the perfect topic for Nurses Week!  The hospice nurse isn’t there to make decisions for patients and caregivers, but to offer support, education, along with clinical care.  While the nurse will teach about medications and hospice philosophy, the patient makes all the decisions.  Hospice nurses also know there’s more to end of life care than just medications.  The nurse should offer different modalities to take care of patients, and to work with the whole hospice interdisciplinary team to provide the best care.  Hospice nurses never accelerate a death.  They also don’t seek to prolong life.  The goal is always to provide care that enhances quality of life for patients.  Stay tuned for the next few weeks to hear the facts about the other members of the hospice team in our Fact or Fiction series!  Our sponsor for today’s episode is Hospice of Southern Maine.  Hospice of Southern Maine is the only Medicare-certified hospice agency serving Cumberland and York counties.  Hospice of Southern Maine is proud to bring you the 10th Annual Anne L. Hunter Memorial Thresholds Conference.  For only $35, registrants can participate virtually in this year’s conference,  “The Art and Science of Dying: Death as a Part of Life” featuring Barbara Karnes, author of “the little blue book” Gone from my Site, and Dr. B.J. Miller, well-known hospice physician.  Reserve your place for the 2021 Thresholds conference May 20, 1:00pm - 4:30pm ET by clicking here.  You can find more information about hospice care and philosophy at theheartofhospice.com.  The Heart of Hospice is here to support you.  Send questions and comments to [email protected].  We’ll send you a personal reply.  Whether you’re a hospice professional or an unpaid caregiver for someone who’s seriously ill, your end of life journey matters. You are The Heart of Hospice.  

The pandemic has created challenges in the ways hospice agencies provide bereavement care.  Hospice of Southern Maine is making the technology work.  Today’s guest is Carol Schoneberg is an End of Educator and Bereavement Services Manager for Hospice of Southern Maine.  Carol acknowledged that various challenges related to social distancing made the bereavement team think out of the box about how they could provide care when in-person groups had to be cancelled.  Using secure video conferencing, the bereavement support groups were revived.   Hospice of Southern Maine has been able to use technology to provide healing and connection for grievers in their community.  Your agency, regardless of size, can find innovative ways to use technology to provide bereavement care for your families.  Click here to see more about  bereavement services from Hospice of Southern Maine.  You’ll want to check out the opportunity at their 10th annual Thresholds Conference featuring Barbara Karnes and Dr. B.J. Miller on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 1:00 - 4:30pm EST.  Affordable (only $35) and virtual, the Thresholds Conference is a great chance to learn from end of life industry icons. Click here to register.  Our other sponsor for today’s episode is GrandPad.  GrandPad is a great gift for any senior living alone or at a distance from loved ones.  With secure email, photo and video sharing, and video calling, GrandPad enables older adults to access technology in a user-friendly format.  Family members can help with set up and create a private GrandPad group using the Companion App.  Unlimited 4G LTE is included with the subscription and available nationwide so you can connect to loved ones from wherever you are.   The GrandPad team is dedicated to creating a world where no seniors are lonely or isolated!  Purchase a GrandPad for someone you love by clicking here.   The Heart of Hospice team is here to support your end of life journey, whether you’re a patient, a personal caregiver, or a hospice professional. Find us at theheartofhospice.com or send an email to [email protected].  We’re walking this journey with you - you are The Heart of Hospice.  

End of life care can be confusing.  The Heart of Hospice is here to support anyone experiencing hospice care, including personal and professional caregivers. If you’re a hospice professional, it’s important to understand the perspective of patients and families so you know how best to meet their needs.   Between them, Jerry and Helen have over 20 years experience as hospice professionals so they know what it’s like to care for terminally ill patients.  And because they’ve both had personal experiences with hospice care, they know what it’s like to be a consumer of end of life care.  Managing caregiving responsibilities and tons of new information is often complicated by the grief and mental exhaustion that come with serious illness. The Heart of Hospice is here to inform, encourage and help you make it through your caregiving days.  Connect with more episodes of The Heart of Hospice podcast by clicking here.  The sponsor for today’s episode is Hospice of Southern Maine, the sponsor for the 10th annual Thresholds Conference coming up on Thursday, May 20, 2021 from 1:00 - 4:30pm EST.  Registration is only $35, and the conference features hospice industry icons Barbara Karnes and Dr. B.J. Miller.  You won’t want to miss this virtual affordable opportunity! Visit the Hospice of Southern Maine website to learn more and reserve your spot at the Thresholds Conference.  Find more support for your hospice journey at theheartofhospice.com.  Whether you’re a personal caregiver, a patient, or a hospice professional, or a healthcare profession student, The Heart of Hospice provides information to educate, support, and encourage you.  If you’re interested in having Jerry or Helen speak at your conference or event,  send an email to [email protected].  We’re honored to support your hospice journey!

We all need to designate someone to speak for us when we can’t voice our healthcare wishes.  Now is the best time to choose your healthcare proxy.  A healthcare proxy, or medical power of attorney, acts as an advocate for the needs of a patient in alignment with the patient’s desires. It’s important to have the correct legal documents in place for where you live so be sure to find out what forms are required in your area or state.  Your proxy or MPOA should be willing and able to act on your behalf.  Having conversations before the proxy has to act is crucial - no one will know what you want if you don’t tell them.  Discuss it, document it, and share it with your healthcare team and family.  The sponsor for today’s episode is Hospice of Southern Maine, the sponsor for the 10th annual Thresholds Conference coming up on Thursday, May 20, 2021 from 1:00 - 4:30pm EST.  Registration is only $35, and the conference features hospice industry icons Barbara Karnes and Dr. B.J. Miller.  You won’t want to miss this virtual affordable opportunity! Visit the Hospice of Southern Maine website to learn more and reserve your spot at the Thresholds Conference.  Find more support for your hospice journey at theheartofhospice.com.  Whether you’re a personal caregiver, a patient, or a hospice professional, or a healthcare profession student, The Heart of Hospice provides information to educate, support, and encourage you.  If you’re interested in having Jerry or Helen speak at your conference or event,  send an email to [email protected].  We’re honored to support your hospice journey! 

In the final episode of our patient advocacy series, we’re talking about supporting advance directives to honor end of life wishes.  Caregivers often advocate for loved ones to prevent unwanted care.  As advocates for family members or friends, caregivers are called to respect the wishes expressed in directives to physicians, diagnosis-specific directives, and Do Not Resuscitate documents.  Having end of life wishes documented during advance care planning takes some of the decision-making burden off of the caregiver.  Relieving some of that caregiver burden can reduce anxiety and guilt, allowing the caregiver to experience their grief journey a little easier.   Hospice interdisciplinary team members also have to recognize the importance of acting as advocates to support patient’s end of life wishes.  The Heart of Hospice has more information and support for your hospice journey.  Find us 24/7 at theheartofhospice.com.  You’ll find podcasts discussing everything from hospice 101 and philosophy to self care for both personal and professional caregivers.  No matter where you are in your hospice journey, you are The Heart of Hospice.

Hospice of Southern Maine has harnessed the power of virtual reality to educate about end of life care.  CEO Daryl Cady shares how their innovative VR program “Clay” teaches what the hospice experience is like for patients and families.  Through VR technology, the hospice journey of virtual patient “Clay”  and his family demonstrates to both laypersons and healthcare professionals how a typical end of life situation evolves.  The program includes many of the facets of hospice, including the initial terminal diagnosis, responses of Clay’s family members, and discussion of end of life wishes.  Daryl reports that many of the people who view the Clay modules are deeply moved, especially by Clay’s dying process and death.  Audience members are supported by a social worker or chaplain to help process the emotions that surface during the viewing.  You can read more about the innovations Hospice of Southern Maine is using to care for its patients and the community at hospiceofsouthernmaine.org.  Be sure to check out information for the 10th Anniversary Thresholds Conference for a series of presentations about end of life, dying, and death.  Featured speakers at this year’s conference are internationally renowned end-of-life educator Barbara Karnes, author of the little blue book Gone from my Sight, and Dr. B.J. Miller, acclaimed speaker and hospice and palliative care specialist.  Don’t miss this great opportunity on Thursday, May 20 on 1:00 - 4:30pm ET  - register now for only $35!  Stay connected with The Heart of Hospice at theheartofhospice.com for more information and support of your hospice journey.  Your journey matters - you are The Heart of Hospice.  

Sometimes being an advocate for a loved one includes voicing concerns and complaints.  Knowing who to talk to and how to do it is important.  It’s a good idea to start with the case manager from your hospice team.  If that doesn’t work, voice your concern to the director or administrator.  Escalate your complaint if there’s not an appropriate response - to the state agency that oversees hospice agencies, or to the accrediting organization for the hospice agency providing your loved one’s care.  If you’re a hospice professional, it’s important for you to know how to handle a complaint if it comes to you.  Receive any complaint from a patient or caregiver with respect and truly listen to their concerns.  Take it to your manager for investigation as needed.  You also need to know the reporting requirements for your state when it comes to any allegation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.  Patients should receive the best care possible, and end of life professionals should provide it.  Knowing how to handle a concern or complaint will help.  If you need more information about getting the best hospice care you can, go to theheartofhospice.com.  Have a question?  Send it to [email protected].  If your company provides services or products to hospice agencies, consider sponsorship with The Heart of Hospice to get the word out about what you do.  No matter who you are, or where you are in your hospice journey, you are The Heart of Hospice.