Host Nancy Jordan spoke with three caregivers for Providence Hospice Orange County South, Jennifer Russell, clinical manager, RN; Caroline Pelayo, hospice nurse; and Rochelle Koch, licensed clinical social worker about caring for the at-home caregiver.

The at-home caregivers are often overlooked in their needs. In addition to the other day-to-day obligations, like a full-time job, running a household, parenting…they must find time to care for someone who needs a lot of care. We discuss best practices for helping the at-home caregivers so they can tend to their needs, avoid burnout and be able to give the best care possible to their loved ones.

If you would like to know more about Caring Bridge, you can visit their site here.

Dr. Robin Henderson, Chief Executive, Behavioral Health, Providence Oregon and Erin Wesen, senior manager of communication with Providence’s mission team, join Nancy to talk about suicide prevention and awareness. They also discuss support groups such as Out of the Darkness Walks where people grieving the loss of a loved one from suicide can find community and support.

If you are in crisis, please call the suicide and crisis live-line at 988 or text line by texting 741-741.

I would also like to say, here at Providence, we are committed to improving mental health across the nation. We want our communities to know that they're never alone when dealing with mental illness and suicide. One of the ways we are doing this is by partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, to provide education and engagement opportunities for all our caregivers and the communities we serve.

Additional Resources: Suicide Prevention

·        Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Suicide Prevention

·        Suicide Prevention and Resource Center

·        National Institute of Mental Health: Suicide Prevention

·        World Health Organization: Suicide Prevention

·        American Psychiatric Association: Suicide Prevention

Additional Resources: Support

·        American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Find A Group

·        Suicide Loss Support Groups | Alliance of Hope

·        Samaritans Hope

Bethany Opstedal joins host Nancy Jordan to talk about her work as a hospice volunteer coordinator for Providence Health and why the role of the hospice volunteer is so crucial to hospice care. Also joining the conversation is Marie Lanese, a hospice volunteer, who shared stories about her experience and the blessing she receives from this work. 

If you would like to become a hospice volunteer or learn more about it please check out the links for more information.

·        Providence Hospice of Seattle (serves King and Pierce Counties)

o   Volunteer Application

·        Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County (serves Snohomish County)

o   Volunteer Application

·        Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice

o   Volunteer Application

Tim Serban, a chaplain with Providence for over 30 years, joins host Nancy to talk about his volunteer work as the national lead for disaster spiritual care with the American Red Cross. Tim’s first assignment in disaster spiritual relief was at Ground Zero shortly after 9/11.

Tim shares stories about giving spiritual care to grieving families, workers cleaning up the debris and searching for missing persons, and how they honored those who had lost their lives.

If you would like to hear additional stories by Tim Serban about his work with the American Red Cross, please click on the following links:

·        Disaster spiritual care: The sacredness of honoring a life | Hear Me Now Stories

·        Disaster spiritual care: Planting a dream | Hear Me Now Stories

“This whole topic in families can become so tense that parents and loved ones feel like they’re walking on eggshells if they bring it up because they don’t want to push the individual further into the disorder. “  – Barbara Oyler
 

Barbara Olyer, an eating disorder specialist with Providence, joins host Nancy Jordan to talk about this complex disease. 

Barbara defines eating disorders and what to do if you suspect a loved one might be struggling with this disease. She also talks about how best to have those difficult conversations with a loved one who might be suffering from an eating disorder.

Also on the show is Milagro Ayala, who shares insight from growing up with a mother struggling with an eating disorder and offers advice for anyone looking to help a loved one struggling with an eating disorder. 

Contributors:

Host: 

·        Nancy Jordan, Chief Mission Integration Officer, Providence

·        Nancy Jordan, Ed.D. l LinkedIn

Guests: 

·        Barbara Olyer, Manager of the Providence St. Vincent Adult and Adolescent Partial Hospital Eating Disorders program, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center

·        Milagro Ayala, Communications Specialist, Providence Health

Resources:

·        NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association)
·        Health at Every Size

Keywords:

·        Eating disorder

·        Anorexia 

·        Bulimia

·        Binge eating

“Alzheimer’s is a disease of emotion.” -- Celine Regalia

Celine Regalia, Director of Operations at Collabria Care, joins host Nancy Jordan for a candid conversation about best care practices when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.

Celine provides thoughtful advice on recognizing the warning signs and what to do if you suspect someone may have dementia. When and how to have difficult conversations to know what matters most to them. And how best to navigate the challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s as their dementia progresses.

You’ll also hear personal stories about caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.

Contributors:

Host: Nancy Jordan, Chief Mission Integration Officer

Nancy Jordan, Ed.D. | LinkedIn

Guests: Celine Regalia, Director of Operations, Collabria Care

Celine Regalia | LinkedIn

Resources:

Providence 

PACE and Adult Day Programs | Providence

·        Collabria Care: Community Health Napa Valley 

·        Alzheimer’s Association 

·        Family Caregiver Alliance 

·        National Adult Day Services Association 

·        Positive Approach to Care

·        Compassionate Care in Our Community. We are here for you from serious illness through the end of life · Are you or a loved one facing one of these issues?  Contact: 707- 258-9080

Keywords:

·        Alzheimer’s

·        Dementia

·        Caretaker

·        PACE

·        Adult day care