The Heart of Hospice Podcast (Hosted by Helen Bauer, BSN RN CHPN )

Bereavement care is actually one of the primary services provided by hospice.  In this episode we discuss when bereavement care begins, and the way that grief care is often provided by hospice caregivers. 

Grief counseling will often use the 5 stages of grief taught by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.

• Denial
• Anger
• Bargaining
• Depression
• Acceptance

Here are links to the resources mentioned in this episode:

www.ekrfoundation.org
www.grief.com

Learn more about grief care on our website at www.theheartofhospice.com and please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date on current news about hospice. 

We would encourage you to write to us at host@theheartofhospice.com to ask questions, or to share your hospice journey.  We promise to send you a personal reply.  

In this 5 for Friday Helen & Jerry discuss the findings of a recent study regarding the power of "behavioral synchrony," and how touch between partners can actually diminish a patient's pain. 

A recent study by research scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder discovered the role of touch in relation to pain relief. This study seemed to confirm what hospice providers have believed, that therapeutic touch has a way of relieving a patient's pain. The study revealed that when a patient's partner holds their hand, the "physiological synchronization" creates a connection that is an aid in reducing the patient's pain. 

A summary of the study can be found at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318093.php 

For more information, please visit our website at www.theheartofhospice.com, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter for regular updates. 

Board Certified Clinical Chaplain Jonathan Prescott is back with us to discuss end of life practices in the Zen Buddhist tradition.  Jon is a student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.  Jonathan’s practice as a Clinical Chaplain and Pastoral Counselor is to “support people experiencing illness and end of life, foster effective caregiving and reconnect people with their innate wisdom and compassion”. As co-founder of the non-profit organization Radiant Light Zen, Jon works with a team to “offer contemplative training for people interested in beginning or deepening their meditation practice. [We] host several geographically dispersed online communities, mentor students, and train caregivers in the arts of compassionate care.”  In this discussion, Jon describes the beliefs of the Zen Buddhist about death and dying, and ways in which hospice professionals can support Zen Buddhist patients and families during bereavement care.  

Connect with Radiant Light Zen by clicking here.

You can support the work of Jon and Radiant Light Zen by donating here.

Interested in purchasing a GrandPad for a loved one?  Click here.

Get information about GrandPad purchases for your facility or agency here.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice here: https://theheartofhospice.libsyn.com/

Connect with podcast host Helen Bauer at helen@theheartofhospice.com.

In this episode, Social worker Katie Ortlip describes the many ways she provides bereavement care to families when a loved one is on hospice.  Bereavement care begins when a patient is admitted to hospice, Katie says.  

Learn more about the many bereavement care programs provided by hospice professionals in this episode.  Visit our website at www.theheartofhospice.com to learn more about hospice, caregiving, and self care.  

You can contact us at host@theheartofhospice.com and tell us about your hospice journey, or to ask us questions about hospice. 

Filmmaker Edgar Barens works with the Humane Prison Hospice Project to highlight the need for compassionate end-of-life programs in the US. prison system.  

https://theheartofhospice.libsyn.com/edgar-barens-shares-how-prison-hospices-are-changing-lives-episode-146

There are occasions when a person will be discharged by a hospice agency for “failure to decline.”  In this episode we explain the reasons why this can occur, and what the patient and family should expect.  

“Failure to decline” or “extended prognosis” are the terms that are typically used to describe the reasons for discharging someone from hospice.  Learn more about the reasons why this happens, how the patient and family can appeal the hospice’s decision, and what the hospice agency should do to assist in planning for the patient’s care after hospice.  

Please visit www.theheartofhospice.com for more resources about hospice, caregiving, self care, and advance care planning.  

Discharged from Hospice Care. Now What?

Many people on hospice will need medical equipment (DME) to help improve their quality of life.  In most cases, medical equipment is supplied by the hospice agency through a third-party vendor at no cost to the patient.  In this episode Helen and Jerry share what you need to know about DME. 

DME, or durable medical equipment, is used to help improve the patient's quality of life.  Wheelchairs and walkers can improve mobility.  Hospital beds with special mattresses can increase comfort levels and improve sleep.  Other special equipment are used for symptom management, such as oxygen concentrators, nebulizers, and suction machines.  

To learn more, please visit our website at this link, or send us an email with your questions to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We will send you a personal reply.  

If you've benefited from this podcast, please take a moment to leave a rating or a review on iTunes, Spotify, or Stitcher Radio.  We appreciate receiving feedback from our listeners.  

Practicing good, healthy self care habits is a daily challenge. In this week's Five for Friday, Helen & Jerry share their best & worst self-care habits of the past week. Our worst might give you a laugh or two, and the best will hopefully give you some encouragement to find your own "best" self-care habits. Be sure and listen all the way to the end of this episode for a special out-take.

Share with us your best self-care habits. What are those healthy self-care practices that help you de-stress and refocus at the end of a long day? Write to us at host@theheartofhospice.com and share them with us.

Would you do our future podcast listeners a favor? Please take a moment and rate this podcast on iTunes. Your rating helps broadcast The Heart of Hospice to more listeners. More listeners means more people who are receiving accurate and helpful information about hospice, and more hospice professionals who are receiving encouragement at a time when they may need it the most. Thanks for spreading the message.

This is our Hurricane Harvey Special Edition Episode.  Due to the impacts of Hurricane Harvey, Helen and Jerry were unable to record this episode in the usual place and manner.  Instead, Helen was at her mother's home in Houston providing caregiver assistance to her mom, and Jerry was at his home near Beaumont.  The episode was recorded using Skype and a microphone, since they weren't in the same location.  

Harvey has wrought terrible destruction and devastation all along the Gulf Coast from Rockport, Texas to Louisiana.  Thousands have been displaced from their homes, including those in nursing facilities and hospitals.  

In the midst of Harvey's wrath, Helen and Jerry decided to discuss some of the personal impacts that have occurred due to the hurricane.  First, how do you practice self care when nothing feels normal?  The Hurricane Harvey edition of best and worst self care.  
Second, how do you manage the isolation that naturally occurs when you're a caregiver for a terminally ill patient?  There are several negative effects of isolation on the personal and professional caregiver.  Helen & Jerry also share their ideas on how to avoid isolation while serving as a caregiver.  

If you've benefitted from this episode, please take a moment to share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.  You can also subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and Stitcher Radio.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates about our podcast and blog.  Our website has many resources you will find useful at www.theheartofhospice.com 

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. 

Tuesday, August 1, marks the 1 year anniversary that The Heart of Hospice podcast has been in production.  In honor of this milestone Helen and Jerry take time to reflect on the past year.

This mission we call The Heart of Hospice was created for the purpose of educating and enriching the lives of hospice patients, personal caregivers, and hospice professionals.  In the past year we’ve discussed topics ranging from the history of hospice, to self care for the hospice professional.  

When we began making our first podcast recordings in January, 2016, it was with some fear and trepidation that we embarked on this journey.  Who are we to do something like this?  Why would anyone want to listen to us?  Do we have anything worth saying that people will want to listen to?  Our first recordings were terrible.  We laugh at ourselves now.  Even then we were not satisfied with the sound quality, or the quality of the content. We kept moving forward, however, believing that with practice it would improve. Thankfully, it did.  Our goal is to always be improving, growing, learning, and helping.  

We published our first three episodes on August 1, 2016, and after the first year our listeners have downloaded over 11 thousand episodes.  To all of you we simply, and gratefully say, thank you. 

As a nurse and End of Life Doula, Kacie Gikonyo cares for the dying while working to make a lasting impact on end-of-life support.  Kacie realized during the pandemic that she was called to work with the dying.  She trained with INELDA (the International End of Life Doula Association) to become an End of Life Doula.  Her special area of doula practice is with younger persons with a terminal illness, focusing on end of life conversations and legacy projects.  

Kacie believes in fostering collaboration over competition, nurturing a community-driven model through the Death Doula Collective.  The Collective is a community of Death Doulas from across the country who want to support, empower and guide each other.  Kacie is also the founder of the Death Doula School, whose mission is to cultivate successful Death Doulas who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve. 

Connect with Death Doula Kacie Gikonyo:

Website:   www.deathdoulakacie.com

Social media:  YouTube   Facebook   Instagram    Tik Tok    LinkedIn   Pinterest 

Email:  Kacie@deathdoulakacie

Interested in purchasing a GrandPad to stay connected with a senior loved one?  

Get more information at https://www.grandpad.net/thoh.

GrandPad website: https://www.grandpad.net/

Social Media for GrandPad

https://facebook.com/grandpad

https://instagram.com/grandpad_social/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/grandpad

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuFAJCb7_tTneM_ikABq08Q

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer

Website:  theheartofhospice.com

Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com

Death educator Lee Warren believes preparing for death in advance makes a good death possible. 

Over a period of two years, she experienced several deaths in her small community of 125 people, teaching her the best lessons about death as she cared for them.  

Those deaths, and the generous people who experienced them, offered an incredible opportunity for Lee to reweave a more holistic approach to end-of-life than the one generally offered to us in the U.S.  The outcome of stewarding those deaths together as a community,  including after-death care, home funerals, and home burials, was life changing and heart opening for Lee.  She has channeled the wisdom she learned into work as a Death Educator and End-of-Life Preparation Guide.  

Connect with Death Educator and End-of-Life Preparation Guide Lee Warren

Website:  queenofdeath.org/course    reclaimingwisdom.com/about 

Email:  lee@reclaimingwisdom.com

Socials for Lee Warren:   Facebook   IG

Connect with the End of Life Deck and the Death Deck

Website:  thedeathdeck.comhttps://thedeathdeck.com/

Shop:  End of Life Deck   Death Deck

Socials for the Death Deck:  Facebook   IG   Twitter (X)

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer

Website:  theheartofhospice.com

Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com

More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast

It always seems too early until it’s too late. We’re talking advance care planning, grief, and life lessons with Jon and Michelle Braddock of My LIfe and Wishes. With us for his second interview, Jon shares how My Life and Wishes got started after their experience with the death of Michelle’s dad.  My Life and Wishes provides an online platform for advance care plan storage, guiding users in the use of secure storage of healthcare and legal documents, financial information and estate planning.  When they later experienced the death of Michelle’s mom, Jon and Michelle were much better prepared to manage her estate.  Jon is also the author of Click Here When I Die, a great guide to digital estate planning.  You can create your own secure account and designate users at mylifeandwishes.com.  Get your copy of Click Here When I Die to create your own estate plan to make things easier for your loved ones.  Check out theheartofhospice.com to find more information about advance care planning and resources to help you make decisions, document, and share your end of life wishes.  The Heart of Hospice is here to walk your hospice journey with you.  Send any questions or comments to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We love connecting with you - you are The Heart of Hospice.    

My guest Susan Hearn is talking about how she is moved and motivated by her work as executive director of a residential hospice home, and why she stays in this industry.  #hospice #endoflife #death #dying #caregiver #caregiving

https://pod.co/the-heart-of-hospice-podcast/quality-care-is-the-goal-at-residential-hospice-homes

Residential hospice homes provide compassionate caregiving support for the dying. My guest Susan Hearn is talking about how she is moved and motivated by her work as executive director of a hospice home, and why she stays in this industry.  

Susan has a passion for serving hospice and palliative care patients and families and has been a pioneer in developing hospice programs throughout Oregon since 1993 when she helped to establish the Asante Hospice in Southern Oregon. Susan went on to pioneer a residential hospice model in Oregon, leading the way with both fundraising and the full building and policy development of Celia's House in Medford, Oregon and Hopewell House in Portland. She is motivated to give patients and their caregivers a greater voice in their end-of-life experience and in facilitating meaningful advanced care planning conversations between patients and families. 

Social media for Susan Hearn

LinkedIn  

Interested in purchasing a GrandPad to stay connected with a senior loved one?  Get more information at https://www.grandpad.net/thoh.

GrandPad website: https://www.grandpad.net/

Social Media for GrandPad

https://facebook.com/grandpad

https://instagram.com/grandpad_social/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/grandpad

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuFAJCb7_tTneM_ikABq08Q

Order your copies of The Hospice Care Plan: A Path to Comfort here, now available in English and Spanish!  

Check out the free library of video tutorials from the creators of The Hospice Care Plan hospice nurses Nancy Heyerman and Brenda Kizzire here.  

Read more about Nancy and Brenda and their mission to improve hospice care here.

Find Odonata Care on social media:  Facebook   YouTube  IG   TikTok 

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Some experiences are worth repeating.  Our interview with Pulitzer prize-winning author Ellen Goodman was one of our brightest moments, and we’re excited to share it with you in an encore presentation. 

Ellen is a co-founder and director of The Conversation Project, an organization whose mission centers around helping people to voice their wishes for care at the end of life.  They know that having discussions about death and dying can help to ensure respectful, appropriate care when serious illness becomes a reality.  It’s about having those conversations in the living room, not in the hospital waiting room.

In advance of National Healthcare Decisions Day 2020 coming up on April 16, we want to highlight how important it is to have conversations about your end of life wishes with the important people in your life.

Check out theheartofhospice.com to get more information about advance care planning, and to subscribe to the podcast to connect you with Helen and Jerry of The Heart of Hospice every time we release a new episode.  Take care of your Self - you are The Heart of Hospice. 

At the Heart of Hospice we're always looking for great resources that help educate and encourage.  One of the best websites for end of life education is bkbooks.com.  BK Books is the website of Barbara Karnes, RN.  Barbara has written many books, including the classic end of life guide, Gone From My Sight.  

Not only does bkbooks.com have books for sale, there are blogs written by Barbara that covers a wide range of end of life topics.  There are also several podcasts featuring Barbara, including our very own episode featuring Barbara.  So visit BKbooks.com.

Certified Dementia Practitioner Nicole Shute is talking with us about CareStory and its mission to make caring a collaborative effort between caregivers and families.  According to the CareStory website, CareStory is “a non-medical digital solution approach to bridge the gap between aging populations, their families, and caregivers. It provides individualized holistic person-centered care for senior residents and just-in-time support to caregivers by engaging families through the use of smart devices.  Each resident’s profile has a quick fact page, personalized music, life stories, and video messages that can greatly facilitate caregivers’ daily jobs.”  Nicole and the CareStory team provide a multi-faceted platform featuring messaging, photo and video sharing, and more in a way that makes coordination between caregivers, family members, and friends easier.  If you’re a family member interested in creating a CareStory profile for your loved one, click here.  If you’re a staff member or administrator of a facility and you’d like to request a CareStory demo, click here.

Don’t forget to register for the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association conference coming up June 6-10 by visiting calhospice.org!  Be sure to tell them you heard about it on The Heart of Hospice podcast.

The hosts of The Heart of Hospice podcast would be honored to speak at your event or conference.  Send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com or jerry@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to partner with you!

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice here: https://theheartofhospice.libsyn.com/

Connect with podcast host Jerry Fenter at jerry@theheartofhospice.com.

Connect with podcast host Helen Bauer at helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more information about hospice philosophy, end-of-life care, and self-care for both personal and professional caregivers here. 

The last conversation you want to have shouldn’t be the last one you do have.  Filmmaker Johanna Lunn is using her lifelong curiosity about death to bring documentaries about "What happens when we die," to life. She’s the co-founder of the When You Die Project which hosts a resource-rich website, podcast, and documentary trilogy.   

The When You Die Project is here to facilitate a cultural dialogue most often avoided — one that begins at the end. From existential afterlife questions such as “What happens when you die?” to palliative care, and the nuts and bolts of preparing for end of life. If it has to do with death, they’re talking about it.

Award-winning producer, director, and writer Johanna Lunn has contributed to many profoundly thought-provoking programs during her 35 years in filmmaking. In addition to film festival awards, her work has received eight Canadian Screen Award nominations and won three. Her work has been shown around the world.

Join When You Die on Nov. 23, 2024 for a showcase of the 3rd film in the When You Die Trilogy -  Architecture of Death: The Inner World of Dying Screening, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A!

When: Nov. 23 from 4:30 - 7:30 pm PST

Where: Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory

Purchase your tickets here. 

Follow When You Die to keep up to date on all future events, receive death-related resources, listen to podcasts, and more!

Website:  www.WhenYouDie.org

Facebook: @whenyoudiecommunity

Twitter:  @whenyoudie_org

Instagram:  whenyoudie_org

YouTube:  @whenyoudie_org

LinkedIn:  https://ca.linkedin.com/company/whenyoudie-org

LinkedIn Profile:  www.linkedin.com/in/johannajlunn

Interested in purchasing a GrandPad to stay connected with a senior loved one?  

Get more information at https://www.grandpad.net/thoh.

GrandPad website: https://www.grandpad.net/

Social Media for GrandPad

https://facebook.com/grandpad

https://instagram.com/grandpad_social/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/grandpad

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuFAJCb7_tTneM_ikABq08Q

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

You’re going to laugh and learn in our interview with Licensed Independent Social Worker Supervisor Lisa Newburger, and her alter ego Diana Directive!  Lisa shares the wisdom she’s acquired while working with seriously ill patients and their families. She’s the owner of Discuss Directives, LLC, a company launched in 2010 to “provide continuing education programs and humorous wellness programs on topics such as life/work balance, end-of-life decision making, workplace bullying, and suicide prevention.” This led to the development of the Heart2Hearts® cards and workbook, great tools for having difficult conversations about end of life wishes.  You can purchase cards and workbooks for yourself or your organization at discussdirectives.com.   Jerry and Helen accept Lisa’s challenge to get their own ACP completed - stay tuned to hear how it goes!  You can find out more about The Heart of Hospice at theheartofhospice.com.  Connect with Helen or Jerry via email to jerry@theheartofhospice.com or helen@theheartofhospice.com.  You’ll always get a personal response.  You are The Heart of Hospice!

Cathy VandenHeuvel, host of the Caregiver Cup podcast, is helping working women caregivers fill their cups. She’s got a lot of caregiving wisdom to share. Cathy and her siblings formed a caregiving team to care for both of their parents at the end of their lives. Drawing on their individual strengths, they managed both care experiences - one without hospice care and one in partnership with a hospice agency. As Cathy reflects back on the time she spent caring for her dad, she remembers important moments they shared. For her family, it was especially important to honor her dad’s wishes to die in a place that was meaningful for him. That location didn’t allow them to partner with a hospice agency. Cathy’s experience with her mom was just as meaningful, but very different. Hospice care supported the family as they navigated end stage cancer. The end of life journeys of her parents were very different, and Cathy sings the praises of having a hospice team to help. As host of the Caregiver Cup podcast, Cathy is teaching other caregivers what she learned. She also provides personal support in Caregiver Cup Circles. The Circles help to reduce isolation and create community for other unpaid caregivers. Cathy’s approach is to “gather together with other women caregivers who are experiencing similar challenges, struggles and emotions”. She knows it’s important that caregivers know they’re not going through a caregiving experience alone.  

Connect with Cathy VandenHeuvel at cathylvan.com.

Listen to the Caregiver Cup podcast here.

Join a Caregiver Cup Circle here.  

Find more information about hospice philosophy, end of life care, and self care for both personal and professional caregivers here.  

Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network, along with a host of other caregiver podcasts by clicking here. 

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. 

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

When someone you love dies, it can be hard to make decisions. Funeral, organ donation, cremation with a memorial service?  It’s a very personal choice and can be confusing. In today’s Heartbeat we’re discussing the option of whole body donation.

Willing a body to a medical school or body donation service can be a way to assist with research into certain diseases or conditions.  Donation can also be a way to enhance the training of medical students and surgeons. Those plans have to be made in advance of the death so it’s good to have body donation discussions.

Organizations like Science Care and Med Cure, or your local medical schools can provide you with options. Be sure to have a backup plan if the body doesn’t meet the criteria for donation at the time of death.

To get more information about advance care planning, visit The Heart of Hospice website. You’ll find resources on caregiving, end of life care, and self care for personal and professionals caregivers, along with encouragement for your hospice journey. Remember to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen - Apple podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Google Play, or Radio.com.

We’re looking back on 2021 and all the changes it brought for the hospice industry.  Some of the changes were good, and some of the changes were challenging.  Staffing shortages, waiting lists for patients to be admitted to hospice, regulatory changes, and shortages of PPE were a few of the obstacles hospice teams all over the country face.  2021 also brought some changes that improved the care we provide.  Learning to use technology to keep our team members updated and keep patients connected with their loved ones became a strength for end of life professionals.  The Heart of Hospice podcast featured some fantastic guests this year - be sure to check out all our archived podcasts on The Heart of Hospice website on the Listen page.  Stay connected with us!  We’ve got great plans for 2022 and we’d love for you to share our hospice journey.  You are The Heart of Hospice.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice here: https://theheartofhospice.libsyn.com/

Send your questions and comments to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to hear from you!

Connect with podcast host Jerry Fenter at jerry@theheartofhospice.com.

Connect with podcast host Helen Bauer at helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more information about hospice philosophy, end of life care, and self care for both personal and professional caregivers here.   

In this episode Helen & Jerry continue discussing the positive affects of humor for self care.  Previous episodes discussed the affects of humor on the mind and the body. 

This episode focuses on humor's affect on the spirit.

• Lowers stress
• Dissolves anger
• Unites people during difficult times
• Helps us gain perspective by laughing at ourselves
• Helps us connect with others and avoid being lonely

Listen to our 2 previous episodes #072 & #073 on humor's affect on the mind and body. For more information, please visit our website at www.theheartofhospice.com, or visit our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter.  To receive regular updates, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast app.  We're on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.  

Hospice physician and podcaster Jordan Grumet is sharing how his work with hospice patients creates deep conversations about end of life planning, money, and life. Dr. Grumet is currently an associate medical director at Journeycare Hospice. After years of blogging about financial independence and wellness, Jordan launched the Earn & Invest podcast in 2018. In 2019 he received the Plutus Award for Best New Personal Finance Podcast and was nominated in 2020 for Best Personal Finance Podcast of the year.

Jordan believes in having end of life conversations early and often. He’s seen the positive influence of those conversations in the lives and deaths of his patients. After losing his dad at an early age, Jordan noticed people didn’t know how to be with him and his family, or what to say to them. Jordan wanted the medical care he provided to align with the end of life wishes of his patients, so he joined a hospice interdisciplinary team. He considers his real job to be supporting his fellow team members as they provide the moment-to-moment, bedside care.  

Jordan endorses including financial discussions when we’re having conversations about healthcare needs in later life and when we’re approaching death. Caregivers are often dealing with money issues as well as the typical challenges of being a caregiver. Jordan’s podcast Earn and Invest deals with topics like focusing on retirement and determining the things that matter most. 

You can win a copy of Jordan Grumet’s book Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor’s Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life! Here’s how: 1. Leave a review for The Heart of Hospice podcast on Apple podcasts.    2. Just scroll down to the bottom of our show page, select a star rating, and tap "Leave a Review".          3. Send an email to host@theheartofhospice to let us know you left a review.             4. If you’re one of the first 5 people to leave a review, you’ll receive a copy of Jordan’s book.                5. You’ll be notified by email that you’ve won, and we’ll ask for a mailing address.     6. We’ll mail the book to you - enjoy!!  

Purchase a copy of Dr. Grumet’s book Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor’s Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life. 

Amazon Barnes and Noble Bookshop BAM

Listen to Jordan Grumet’s podcast Earn and Invest here. 

Visit Jordan’s website at jordangrumet.com.

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. 

Follow The Heart of Hospice on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network, along with a host of other caregiving podcasts by clicking here. 

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

Licensed funeral director and End of Life Doula Christa Ovenell is busting myths about funerals, and sharing practical tips on how to plan a funeral service that reflects your values and needs.  As a community-based Death Educator, Christa is the founder of Death’s Apprentice Education & Planning Inc., a company that specializes in holistic advance care planning for individuals and forward-thinking companies. 

Christa leads with her heart when it comes to guiding clients through death and funeral planning.  She’s also a great resource for funeral planning, making arrangements after a death to create a meaningful service, and having bold conversations about death and dying to help all of us get more comfortable with our mortality. 

Connect with EOL Doula and Funeral Director Christa Ovenell

Website:  deathsapprentice.ca  

Email:  hello@deathsapprentice.ca  

Instagram: deathsapprentice.ca

Interested in purchasing a GrandPad to stay connected with a senior loved one?  

Get more information at https://www.grandpad.net/thoh.

GrandPad website: https://www.grandpad.net/

Social Media for GrandPad

https://facebook.com/grandpad

https://instagram.com/grandpad_social/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/grandpad

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuFAJCb7_tTneM_ikABq08Q

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer

Website:  theheartofhospice.com

Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com

More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast

*Trigger warning - this episode contains a description of an intense death event and the death of a child. Please make space for your self care if you find the topic overwhelming.

Juli Henderson has turned the loss of her son into meaningful advocacy, sharing her wisdom with other caregivers. Juli and her husband Chris were the parents of a son, Robert. Robert had a rare mitochondrial disorder. Genetic testing revealed that he had a gene alteration that predisposed him to seizures and developmental disorders. Robert’s disease was progressive, and he was eventually diagnosed with cerebral palsy, autism, and intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Caring for him and managing his symptoms meant spending days in the hospital. Being a caregiver for a child with a rare life-limiting illness changed Juli forever. She describes the experience as fearful, devastating, lonely, life-altering, and angry.  

Managing Robert’s medical needs was a big part of their lives, but Robert was so much more. Juli’s stories of Robert include laughter, joy, music, and family. She’ll tell you Robert was known for his big, toothy smile, and his all-embracing hugs, along with his capacity to give and receive love. 

After Robert’s death at the age of 18, Juli came to a place of recognition of the joy of caring for Robert. These days, she calls it a gift to have had Robert just as he was. Her website In Our Arms shares insights about her experience through her blog, and includes resources on self care, grief, and epilepsy.  

If you have a medically fragile or seriously ill child, connect with In Our Arms at inourarms.blog.

Read about Juli’s story here.

Read Robert’s story here.

Social media for Juli Henderson and In Our Arms:  Instagram  Facebook

Odonata Care offers help for caregivers at thecareplan.net.

Order your copies of The Care Plan here. It’s available in English and Spanish!

Check out the free video tutorials from Nancy Heyerman and Brenda Kizzire here.  

If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com) 

Follow The Heart of Hospice on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

What hospice teams don’t know can hurt their patients.  End of life professionals who are ignorant of different cultures or faiths can damage the care of seriously ill patients and their families. 

Dying Matters, an organization in the U.K., has a great video that can help you to learn about the death customs and beliefs of the Muslim faith. Dying Matters describes itself as “a coalition of individual and organisational members across England and Wales, which aims to help people talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement, and to make plans for the end of life.” 

You can find their video “I Didn’t Know That” on their website.  It depicts the death of a young Muslim man and how healthcare workers struggle to care for his parents after the event.  At just over 18 minutes long, the film is a great way to train your hospice interdisciplinary team about Muslim customs observed during a death.  Think you already know? Check out the film to see just how accurate your knowledge is.

If you’re interested in more ways to connect with hospice resources, visit theheartofhospice.com.  You’ll find information on basic hospice philosophy and how the modern hospice movement was started.  Stay connected with us by subscribing on the website.  No matter who you are or where you are in your hospice journey, you are The Heart of Hospice!   

How are your self care habits? If you're like us, there's good days and there's bad days. In this episode we share our highs and lows, the best and the worst of our self care journey. 

What we've learned on this self care journey is that one of the most important habits of self care is giving yourself grace. You're not going to be perfect every day. There will be days when it's hard to practice healthy self care. You may not meet your expectations every day. So give yourself grace, forgive yourself and commit to make tomorrow a better day. 

As we share our best and worst self care moments, we hope that you're learning how to develop your own self care habits that will make you stronger and better. 

Go to our website at www.theheartofhospice.com for more self care resources and tips. Find us on Facebook and Twitter also. 

We’re overdue for a self care check in, so in today’s episode  Jerry and Helen are sharing the good and bad of their self care for the holiday season.  The last few months of the year can be a time of unhealthy eating, extra commitments, and short sleep.  All the “extras” can take a toll on our self care.  It’s important to remember that it’s so much harder to get your self care habits back on track than it is to maintain those habits.  Keeping up your self care activities during the holidays will find you healthier when the season is over.  All of you matters - mind, body, and spirit.  So let yourself have an occasional treat but offer yourself some grace and keep up the good self care.  You matter!  The Heart of Hospice is here to support your self care.  Find more information at theheartofhospice.com.  No matter who you are, or where you are in your hospice journey, you are The Heart of Hospice.   

Today Jerry and Helen thank all of the amazing hospice professionals who took time to partner with us for the Connection Moments campaign.  If we had to summarize all the Connection Moments in just a few words, we’d use gratitude, hope, courage, and love.  The pandemic won’t stop provision of quality care, given with compassion and respect.  End of life teams will continue to serve patients and families all over the world.  Your hospice journeys haven’t stopped.  While the Connection Moments might be concluding, The Heart of Hospice podcast is still with you.  Listen to our full length episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month, and check out a new Heartbeat episode every Friday.  We’re walking this journey together with you, 24/7.  Connect with us by sending an email to host@theheartofhospice.com.  Needing a motivational speaker for your hospice company conference?  We can help.  Check out theheartofhospice.com to find out how we can support you, whether you’re a patient, family member, or a hospice professional.  No matter where you are, your journey matters.  You are The Heart of Hospice.

This is Self Care February, and this week's episode will focus on self care for the body. 

As caregivers we often push ourselves beyond healthy limits in the care of our patients. But like a cell phone battery, eventually there's no energy left, and we need to take some time to "recharge our battery." 

In this episode Helen & Jerry share their top 5 ideas for practicing self care for the body. For a complete list of ideas, be sure and visit the Self Care Resources page on our website at www.theheartofhospice.com. 

Our goal is to reach as many people as possible with information about hospice. We need your help in reaching this goal. Please take a few minutes and write a review on our podcast page on iTunes. Each review helps to increase the visibility of The Heart of Hospice podcast so more people can find this information. Thanks in advance for your help 

Our Facebook page is also available to be shared. It just takes a couple of clicks to share our Facebook page with your friends and provide them with a link to the information and encouragement they will find at The Heart of Hospice. Thanks for helping us reach more people. 

Volunteers are literally the heart of hospice, and on this episode of Five for Friday, Helen & Jerry discuss the need for hospice volunteers and what type of work volunteers can perform to serve the hospice agency and the patients. 

Have you been a hospice volunteer? Let us know about your experiences as a volunteer. What kind of activities have you been involved in? What were some of the most meaningful experiences you've had as a volunteer? Please write to us at host@theheartofhospice.com and tell us about your volunteer experiences.

We are always searching for fresh ideas here at The Heart of Hospice. Do you have a topic that you would like Helen & Jerry to discuss in a future podcast? Write to us and tell us about it. You can interact with us by email at host@theheartofhospice.com or on Facebook or Twitter. We would love to hear from you.

Don't forget to rate the podcast! Each review and rating helps us reach more people with the message about hospice, so help us get the word out by taking a minute to rate or review on iTunes. Thanks!

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, and we want to share with you the best resource for anyone affected by Alzheimer's disease, whether you're a patient, a personal caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's, or a professional caregiver.  The Alzheimer's Association website is filled with information and resources that can help you learn more about the disease.  It also has ways for caregivers to connect with each other to build a strong support system.  

In this episode we share all of the many ways that ALZ.org can provide you with up to date information, and resources for those who provide care for Alzheimer's patients.  

To learn more, visit our website at www.theheartofhospice.com. 

By the time Lauren Sampson was 7 years old, she had been hospitalized more than 50 times.  She endured the typical healthcare treatments and procedures.  On top of all of that, she also faced the daily visits from healthcare professionals who didn't always use good manners.  They would often enter her room without knocking, begin probing before telling her who they were, and what they were going to do.  

With help from her mom, Sally, and the child life specialist from the hospital, they drafted a list of requests that was taped to her door, so that anyone who entered would read it.  The list requested 4 things.

• Please knock on my door.
• Please introduce yourself. 
• Please explain why you are here.
• Please tell me if something might hurt. 

 Simple, right?  

Lauren's list has become the standard at many hospitals.  It should be the standard that all healthcare professionals practice with every patient.  Including those on hospice.  Too often, professionals think only about the job they have to do, and forget that they're working with a flesh and blood human, with feelings and emotions.  These are people, not patients.  

For more information about Lauren's List, please visit this YouTube page: Lauren's List video

Visit our website and blog at www.theheartofhospice.com for more information and resources about hospice, caregiving and self care. Be sure and like our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter to receive updates.  

Mi Alma is helping grievers by bringing together friends, family, and coworkers to provide the help they need most. Co-founders Jordan and Scott Arogeti realized we’re not very good at supporting grievers. They’ve created a place that provides opportunities to record legacies through photos, videos, and memory sharing. It was important to Jordan and Scott that Mi Alma’s services provide a sense of intergenerational connection.  

Mi Alma was also created with the purpose of making loss feel less lonely. Mi Alma’s Support Registry includes:

• Funds: Crowdsource support for medical bills, funeral costs, and more.
• Food: Direct supporters toward Mealtrain, meals, and grocery needs.
• Volunteer: Organize lists of volunteers for tasks, to-dos, and in-person help.
• Memories: Collect pictures and stories in one place

Mi Alma’s site provides one-stop shopping, allowing users to offer whatever support they’re able to give according to the specific needs of those who are grieving. In a time when we’re distanced and unsure of what to do when there’s a loss, Mi Alma offers grievers a place to communicate their customized needs. That includes meals, volunteer needs, financial assistance, and the sharing of memories. They’re supporting grievers by leading with empathy. Jordan’s Big Pop would be so proud. 

Connect with Mi Alma’s services at mialma.com.

Start a Support Registry at Mi Alma by clicking here.

Find more grief resources at Mi Alma.

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. 

Follow The Heart of Hospice on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network and other caregiving podcasts by clicking here. 

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

A home funeral can be a rich and meaningful experience. The National Home Funeral Alliance offers guidance to help make it happen. Our special guest today is Dani Lavoire, former president of the National Home Funeral Alliance.  Dani is a birth midwife who made a connection between the experiences of birth and death.  The team at the National Home Funeral Alliance provides support for families across the U.S. who would like to have a more personal after-death event.  According to the NHFA website, “it is your right [in all 50 states] to care for your own loved one after death. ​The NHFA is working to make sure communities and families know their rights.”  Personal rituals can be conducted without feeling rushed, or on someone else’s timeline.  If you’re interested in a home funeral, visit homefuneralalliance.org to get more information.  Check out their podcast - A Path Home, hosted by Sarah Crews, former president of NHFA.  You’ll find more support for your end of life experience at theheartofhospice.com, including information about self care, hospice philosophy, and advance care planning.  You’ll also find info about Helen Bauer and Jerry Fenter, hosts of The Heart of Hospice podcast.  We’re happy to connect with you - you are The Heart of Hospice.  

Hospice nurse and end of life doula Gabby Jimenez of the Hospice Heart shared her thoughts in our great conversation about supporting MAID caregivers, and her new book Dignity Day. Hospice and end of life workers should know what Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) is, regardless of their personal opinion about MAID. If patients and caregivers ask questions, every EOL worker should be able to answer questions and provide resources.   

Gabby wrote her new book Dignity Day to respond to the fear and confusion that surround the use of Medical Aid in Dying. Here’s how she describes the book:

“This book is written from my experience as a hospice nurse and as an end of life doula. I have been present for many people who have chosen to do this, and I have seen how difficult and beautiful it can be for everyone involved. This book is designed to offer clarity, remove fear and uncertainty, and give permission to everyone at the bedside to feel whatever they need to feel, but to still stay present for someone they love. I have no intention of trying to change your mind, my intention is to ask that you not walk away. My hope for this book is that it invites healthy conversation, welcomes curiosity, answers some of the big questions, and supports each person by honoring their different thoughts and opinions about it.” 

Connect with Gabby Jimenez of The Hospice Heart at thehospiceheart.net.

Purchase a copy of Dignity Day (or one of Gabby’s other books) here.

Needing a speaker for your event or conference? Click here to book Gabby to speak.     

Find The Hospice Heart on Facebook.

If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak for your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com) 

Follow The Heart of Hospice on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network, along with a host of other caregiving podcasts by clicking here.

In 2011, Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse, published a book based on the comments of the dying patients that she served, called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. In her book she details the 5 reasons.  

In this episode, Helen & Jerry share those 5 regrets and encourages the listener to live a life of no regrets.  Most of us will come to the end of our lives, not with regrets about what we did, but regrets about what we didn't do.  

Here are the top 5 regrets as listed by Bronnie Ware. 

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) is a non-profit advocacy group based in Alexandria, Virginia.  Their mission is to be advocates for terminally ill patients and their families, as well as providing education and training for those who serve terminally ill patients.  

In this episode, Helen and Jerry discuss the NHPCO's newest educational venue, the NHPCO podcast.  NHPCO began publishing a podcast in October, 2016 to provide information about pertinent issues that hospices are facing today. Jon Radulovic is the host, and along with Judi Lund Person, and Jennifer Kennedy, they share information about regulatory, compliance and quality topics.  

The Heart of Hospice recommends the NHPCO podcast to hospice providers, no matter what your discipline or position.  The information provided through the NHPCO podcast can be invaluable for improving the care given to patients, families and staff.  

You can listen to the NHPCO podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play Music, or follow this link to the NHPCO podcast website.  https://www.nhpco.org/regulatory/nhpco-podcast

Visit The Heart of Hospice website,
www.theheartofhospice.com for more resources and information, and to read our blog.  A new blog is published every Sunday.  You can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.  

Certified Grief Coach Jenny Dilts is helping people to find the calm inside the grief storm.  Jenny finds incredible meaning in supporting people going through a loss.  Jenny defines grief as a loss, change, or absence of connection.  Whether it’s from a death, a relationship, or a life role, she guides clients to find both the sadness and joy inside the grief experience. Loss of identity, trauma, independence, finances, unmet expectations and dreams are all sources of grief.  Hospice patients and their caregivers deal with grief long before a death occurs. Anticipatory grief includes so many different types of loss. Jenny believes in finding the joy that exists along with the sadness of grief.  

Listen to Jenny Dilts’ podcast Sharing Your Story: Exploring Humanity One Heart at a Time on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or Anchor FM.

Connect with Jenny’s resources at Grievingcoach.com. 

Follow Grieving Coach on Facebook here. 

Sign up for Jenny’s newsletter here.

Check out Reimagine here.

Order a care package for someone you love at BeyondWordsCo.com.

Find care packages and workplace gift programs for corporate gifting, employees, co-workers and clients here. 

Read more about how Catherine Hinz founded BeyondWords here. 

Connect with podcast host Helen Bauer at helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more information about hospice philosophy, end of life care, and self care for both personal and professional caregivers here. 

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

The purpose of "pleasure feedings" is just what the name implies, for pleasure, or comfort. The goal of hospice is to help make the patient as comfortable as possible, and that includes helping them enjoy every aspect of life, including food.  

Pleasure feedings are often used when a person's appetite decreases, or they can no longer tolerate normal foods. In place of normal foods, they're offered foods that they want or like, as tolerated.  At this stage in the patient's disease trajectory there's little concern with maintaining a nutritionally balanced diet.  

Listen to this episode to learn more about the when, why and how of pleasure feedings, and visit our website here, to learn more about hospice, caregiving, self care, and advance care planning.  

If you're interested in the Shine App that was discussed in this episode's highlight, this link will take you to their website so you can learn more.  

Jennifer O’Brien is sharing details of her caregiving journey, telling the story of her husband’s life-limiting illness and how she’s learned to make the most of Precious Time.  After working 35+ years as a practice management consultant to physicians, Jennifer supported her husband Bob up to and through the end of his life.  As a hospice and palliative care physician, Bob knew what to expect from his illness.  He and Jennifer experienced all the ups and downs of serious illness and caregiving for someone who’s dying.  The art journal she kept as a form of self-care during Bob’s 22-month illness was published as The Hospice Doctor's Widow: A Journal. The book has won several awards for both its content and design.

Jennifer shares her story, wisdom, and experience to help others understand the role of family caregivers and the importance of end-of-life preparations.  The concept of Precious Time is a way of communicating gently and respectfully that time is limited, and death is approaching.  She also sees it as a way for healthcare practitioners to avoid creating unrealistic hope in the minds of families, patients, and caregivers.

You can get a copy of Jennifer’s FREE Download Precious Time at https://www.hospicedrswidow.com/resources.  

Order your copy of The Hospice Doctor’s Widow: A Journal:

    Bookshop.org    Barnes & Noble   Amazon  

Jennifer’s website:  hospicedrswidow.com    Jennifer on social media:  Facebook   Insta  LI   YouTube

Register for the Tree of Life Conference from the International Doula Life Movement here. 

Want to know more about doulas, or connect with others who are doing death doula work?  Visit internationaldoulalifemovement.com. 

If you’re interested in becoming a certified death doula through IDLM, click here.

Access all the courses that IDLM provides here.

See all the events that IDLM is offering by clicking here.  

Connect with IDLM on social media.   Facebook    IG   YouTube 

If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by emailing helen@theheartofhospice.com.

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 host@theheartofhospice.com.  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.

Hospice aides are truly an essential part of the interdisciplinary team, providing some of the most intimate care to seriously ill patients. Today’s Heartbeat shares the truth about the role of the aide in end of life care.  Providing personal care such as bed baths, showers, catheter or incontinent care, and skin care is just part of what an aide can do.  The aide also monitors a patient for skin breakdown and ensures safe ambulation during the aide’s visit.  Cleaning nails and providing oral care is also included in the aide care plan.  One of the most important aspects of the aide’s job is communication with the nurse.  An aide can be the first to see skin breakdown or a change in the patient’s status.  Aide often provides bathing of the body after a patient dies, known as post mortem care.  Aides are not allowed to give medications or provide medical advice.   The Heart of Hospice wants to support you during your end of life journey.  Find information about hospice philosophy at theheartofhospice.com.  The hosts of The Heart of Hospice podcast have 20+ years of hospice experience.  Contact Helen or Jerry with questions by sending an email to host@theheartofhospice.com.  No matter where you are in your hospice journey, you are The Heart of Hospice.   

Certified Caregiver Consultant Elizabeth Miller is helping other caregivers figure out how to stay healthy while juggling caregiving responsibilities.  Elizabeth describes herself as a life-long caregiver, a sandwich caregiver, as well as a hands-on and remote caregiver.  During the years she spent caring for her parents, Elizabeth learned her own caregiving style.  She’s a huge fan of proactive self care - don’t wait for the crisis to hit and the oxygen mask to drop.  Elizabeth’s family pulled together to take care of her mom and dad, each of them contributing to the caregiving according to their strengths.  She knows the value of caregiving support by employers as well, and speaks to companies often about the impact of caregiving on their workforce.  It takes intention to be a great employee and be a great caregiver - and be happy and healthy as well. Nobody knows that better than Elizabeth Miller.   

Connect with Elizabeth Miller’s caregiving consulting services here. 

Listen to the Happy Healthy Caregiver podcast here.

Find more information about hospice philosophy, end of life care, and self care for both personal and professional caregivers here.  

Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network, along with a host of other caregiver podcasts by clicking here. 

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. 

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

Rosanne Corcoran, host of Daughter the Podcast is sharing her best advice about being a caregiver for a person dealing with dementia. As caregiver to her mother for 12 years, Rosanne learned how to navigate the healthcare system as an advocate, deal with sleep deprivation, and to care for herself along the way.

Rosanne Corcoran is the creator and host of Daughterhood the Podcast.  She is also a Daughterhood Circle leader and their Director of Content.  She cared for her mother through her journey with vascular dementia, starting as a supportive caregiver to an in-home sandwich caregiver for her mother’s final six years.  In each monthly podcast, Rosanne interviews experts in the field, asking questions caregivers want to know the answers to – with topics ranging from dealing with dementia behaviors, to siblings and caregiving, through end of life care, grief and everything in between. Rosanne carries her authenticity and caregiving experience into each interview. Along with strategies and resources, this podcast also provides listeners with the comfort of knowing they are not facing these challenges alone.

Rosanne has been featured in NPR, CNN Health, Barron’s, and Next Avenue and was most recently named one of Next Avenue and American Society on Aging’s 2024 Advocates for Aging.

You can connect with Rosanne Corcoran:

https://www.facebook.com/DaughterhoodThePodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/daughterhood_the_podcast/

https://daughterhood.org/

Interested in purchasing a GrandPad to stay connected with a senior loved one?  

Get more information at https://www.grandpad.net/thoh.

GrandPad website: https://www.grandpad.net/

Social Media for GrandPad

https://facebook.com/grandpad

https://instagram.com/grandpad_social/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/grandpad

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuFAJCb7_tTneM_ikABq08Q

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

Joanne Eason, President of Five Wishes, knows it’s important to document our end of life wishes so our voices are heard when we can’t speak for ourselves. Five Wishes was established over 25 years ago through a series of listening tours, asking people what was important to them. From those results, the Five Wishes document was formed with guidance from the American Bar Association and other palliative care providers across the U.S. It's designed for individuals to use when sitting down with their families, a tool for talking about what’s important to the person.   

Five Wishes has incorporated three questions into their Five Wishes document: How comfortable do you want to be? How do you want to be treated? What do you want those around you to know about you? Those answers are the voice of the patient. Where health systems use certain forms to document decision-makers and specific medical directives, Five Wishes is about not just the wishes of the person, but who they are.

It can be used like a workbook and comes in both digital and paper forms. The workbook is a living document and should be revisited as healthcare status changes or your spokesperson changes.  

Five Wishes can also be utilized by hospice agencies, healthcare organizations, and businesses. It’s legal in almost every state in the U.S. so it’s a very flexible document. If you live in one of only four states (New Hampshire, Kansas, Ohio, or Texas) you can still use the Five Wishes Paper but may need to take an extra step. Five Wishes is available in 30 languages, as well as Braille.

Find out more about Five Wishes at fivewishes.org. 

Follow Five Wishes on Facebook, YouTube, IG, and Twitter.   

Check out Five Wishes for your personal use here.

Get information about utilizing Five Wishes for your patients or employees by clicking here.

Visit the Five Wishes store here.

Check out the free webinars from Five Wishes here.

Looking for a copy of the Odonata Care Plan? Click here to purchase it for yourself or your care agency.  

NEW** - the Odonata Care Plan is now available in SPANISH - purchase it here!! 

Check out the free Care Video tutorials from Odonata founders and hospice nurses Nancy Heyerman and Brenda Kizzire here.  

Partner with National HME to provide medical equipment for your patients at nationalhme.com.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com) 

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. 

Follow The Heart of Hospice on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network, along with a host of other caregiving podcasts by clicking here.

Sue Kemple is the CEO of a digital legacy creation service called My Last Soundtrack. They provide a way to create your own, or someone else's, digital legacy with music, photos, and recordings. 

Have you ever been to a funeral or memorial and wondered who chose the music that was played? Because you knew the deceased wouldn't have chosen those songs.  What if you could create a playlist that perfectly described your legacy and defined your life? What if you could add photographs and create a slideshow? What if a recording in your own voice could be added to your page?  

My Last Soundtrack can provide you with the power to do all of that and more. Listen to this episode to learn more about My Last Soundtrack, and visit their website at this link for more information.

To learn more about hospice, caregiving, self care, and advance care planning, visit The Heart of Hospice website.  

There are currently 9 states in the U.S. that have Death with Dignity laws in place.  Designed to allow self determination in death and prevent suffering, these laws can be controversial. 

In this week’s Heartbeat from The Heart of Hospice, Helen and Jerry discuss the purpose of these laws and where to find out about the laws in your state.  It’s important that end of life professionals are aware of whether the state in which they practice has a Death with Dignity law, and should be prepared to discuss the topic with patients and families who ask about it. 

To find out where Death with Dignity laws have been enacted, you can visit https://www.deathwithdignity.org/learn/death-with-dignity-acts/. 

Find out more about us on theheartofhospice.com.  There’s information on self care, advance care planning, and resources for both personal and professional caregivers. Take a minute to subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts - Spotify, Radio.com, Apple podcasts, Google Play, or iHeart Radio.

End-of-life educator Barbara Karnes is back to talk about death in the home, what it looks like, and how caregivers can manage a dying loved one at home.  The reality of a death at home is that it's a challenge for caregivers, and can put a heavy burden on the caregiver.  Before death became a medical event, it was a psychosocial event that was managed at home, and caregivers were supported by the community.  These days people frequently die in the hospital or in a nursing facility.  Family often is not present when a death happens.  A good death can happen at home; however, with family present.  Hospice support can be an important part of that care.  End-of-life workers can provide education, support, and encouragement that help caregivers manage the death experience.  Barbara describes the dying process as labor, very similar to labor for the birth of a baby.  Advance care planning (ACP) can help define how a person wants to die at home, identifying a medical decision-maker (MPOA or healthcare proxy).  Seriously ill adults who are living alone need a caregiving system.  Hospice social workers and chaplains can help solo agers identify an MPOA and build a support system for their caregiving.  

Visit the BK Books website at bkbooks.com.

Purchase your copy of Gone From My Sight by Barbara Karnes here.

Connect with Barbara Karnes on Facebook.

Connect with podcast host Helen Bauer at helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more information about hospice philosophy, end of life care, and self care for both personal and professional caregivers here.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak for your podcast, event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. 

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

The Fading Memories podcast is a great resource for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers.  Host Jennifer Fink provides information, inspiration, and even some giggles.  According to the Fading Memories podcast website, Jennifer interviews people who have some of the answers and families currently on this journey.  The website features links to the podcast, a blog, even recipes for people caring for loved ones with memory loss.  You can listen to the podcast at https://fadingmemoriespodcast.com/category/episodes/ or find it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  If you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, remember you’re not alone.  The Fading Memories podcast is here to help.

Connect with the Fading Memories resources by clicking here.  https://fadingmemoriespodcast.com/

Find Fading Memories on Facebook by clicking here.

https://www.facebook.com/AlzheimersPodcast

Connect with host Jennifer Fink here.  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-fink-338957/

Receive The Heart of Hospice podcast in your email here:

https://www.theheartofhospice.com/connection/

For podcast sponsorship opportunities contact us:

host@theheartofhospice.com

Find more episodes from The Heart of Hospice here:

https://theheartofhospice.libsyn.com/

Connect with Helen Bauer:

helen@theheartofhospice.com

Connect with Jerry Fenter:

jerry@theheartofhospice.com

Death Doula Darnell Lamont Walker is listening to the dying and speaking up to advocate for their needs.  As a Death Doula who is also male and black, Darnell works to facilitate conversations about death in the black community.  He’s a unique blend of skills and talents - an Emmy-nominated children’s writer, a documentary filmmaker, and a death doula. 

Darnell is a listener, a companion to people with serious illness.  He’s working to create change around our perceptions of grief, death discussions, and how we approach dying in the U.S.

Connect with Darnell Lamont Walker

Website:  Darnell Walker

Social media:  IG   LinkedIn   

Watch Darnell’s talk at EndWell 2023 here

Information for sponsor Jennifer O’Brien:

Website: jenniferaobrien.com 

Read more about Jennifer O’Brien here.

Purchase your copy of Care Boss by Jennifer O’Brien here.

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer

Website:  theheartofhospice.com

Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com

Joelle Johns believes telling people they’re dying gives them an opportunity to say the goodbyes, do the final things they want to do, apologize, and forgive. Joelle is a death midwife and grief counselor, as well as a pastoral thanatologist and clinical chaplain, having just completed her designation as a Board Certified Clinical Chaplain (BCC). She also holds a certificate in Death Midwifery. 

As a pastoral thanatologist, Joelle supports those dying and those grieving, coaching them in healthy psychospiritual habits. Advance care plan conversations are also part of her work. Joelle’s seen the impact of avoiding those discussions about end of life wishes. Her experiences as a Hospice Chaplain have shown her the deep meaning and commonality death carries for all of us.

Connect with Rev. Joelle Johns via email: revjoellejohns@gmail.com.  

Find Joelle on social media: FB LinkedIn  

Order your copies of The Care Plan here. It’s available in English and Spanish!

Check out the free video tutorials from Nancy Heyerman and Brenda Kizzire here.  

Register for the Tree of Life Conference from the International Doula Life Movement here. 

Want to know more about doulas, or connect with others who are doing death doula work? Visit internationaldoulalifemovement.com. 

If you’re interested in becoming a certified death doula through IDLM, click here.

Access all the courses that IDLM provides here.

See all the events that IDLM is offering by clicking here.  

Connect with IDLM on social media. Facebook  IG YouTube 

If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com) 

Follow The Heart of Hospice: Facebook, IG Twitter (X) LinkedIn.

Sarah Kerr is a death doula and ritual healing practitioner. She uses the healing power of rituals to bring comfort and peace to those who are left to grieve following a death. In this episode you will learn more about her work as a death doula, and the rituals and practices she uses during the death and dying process.

During our interview Sarah shares her journey of becoming a death doula, and her personal philosophy about the way we approach death in Western culture.  

“Death is hard, but it doesn’t have to be as hard as we make it in Western culture.” --Sarah Kerr

To learn more about Sarah, you can visit her website at Soul Passages.  She also has a Facebook page and an Instagram page where she shares training and educational videos about the work of a death doula and healing rituals.  

Visit our website at The Heart of Hospice to learn more about hospice, caregiving resources, advance care planning, and self care tips for personal and professional caregivers.  

A hospice interdisciplinary team provides enhanced support at the time of a patient’s death - and that includes care from the hospice chaplain.  The chaplain, or spiritual counselor, is there to encourage those who are grieving, to provide comfort and guidance during what hospice professionals call a “death event”.  Along with other team members (nurse, social worker, aide), the chaplain comes alongside the caregivers to provide support as coordination for the final disposition of the body is made.  The spiritual counselor educates the family about what to expect, and assess the bereavement needs of those who are present.  Using the information obtained during this bereavement assessment, the chaplain will collaborate with the bereavement coordinate to create the bereavement plan of care for the thirteen months following the patient’s death.  The presence of the chaplain at a patient’s death is crucial to the support of the family as well as support of the other disciplines.  The best way to have an optimal death event is to include the chaplain.  There’s more information to help you with your end of life journey at theheartofhospice.com.  Whether you’re a hospice professional or someone caring for a hospice patient, you’ll find support and encouragement.  Check out more podcast episodes by clicking here.  We know your journey matters - you are The Heart of Hospice. 

Everyone who works in hospice has heard the comment, "I wish we hadn't waiting so long to call hospice."  Or "I wish we had known about hospice sooner."  

There are many variations of those comments, but they basically communicate how much better it might have been for the patient and family if hospice had been involved sooner in the disease process.  

In this week's Five for Friday, Helen and Jerry share the reasons why hospice is delayed by doctors, patients, and family members, and also the reasons why not delaying hospice could improve the outcome for patients.  Not delaying hospice could mean better quality of life, and in some cases, could mean an increase in the patient's life span.  Studies have shown that patients who choose hospice and palliative care, rather than aggressive care, live up to 2.7 months longer. 

Listen to this week's episode to learn more about why hospice shouldn't be delayed.  

For more information about hospice, caregiving, and self care, visit our website at www.theheartofhospice.com.  If you follow us on Facebook or Twitter you will receive updates when there's a new podcast or blog.  

Medical Aid in Dying is a controversial topic. Hospice Social Worker Lisa Pahl shares what it’s like to support someone who’s utilizing Medical Aid in Dying. Hospice team members are often present when a patient chooses Medical Aid in Dying, or MAID.  Lisa’s experience has shown her how intense and intimate it can be to companion a patient and family during a MAID event.  Often the conversations about the death, and the details of how the patient wants it to happen, are enriched and deep.  Lisa shares that as a social worker, she finds her energy for supporting patients to be refilled rather than depleted.  Medical Aid in Dying is not legal in every state in the U.S.  It’s important that hospice and end of life workers are aware of what the laws are in the state where they work. Whether or not hospice professionals support a MAID law, they should be able to accurately inform patients and families, and provide education. 

Connect with hospice social worker and Death Deck co-creator Lisa Pahl at thedeathdeck.com.

Get your set of Death Deck cards here!

Find more information on Medical Aid in Dying at Compassion and Choices.

Find out if Medical Aid in Dying is legal in your state here. 

Listen to the interview with Anita Hannig, author of How I Die: The Untold Story of Assisted Dying in America Epi. 114 by clicking here. 

Connect with podcast host Helen Bauer at helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more information about hospice philosophy, end of life care, and self care for both personal and professional caregivers here.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak for your podcast, event, or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. 

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

The Heart of Hospice website and blog is now live! We are excited to announce today that our website is no longer under construction, but is a fully functional website complete with blog posts, a resource page, and a contact page. You can also listen to the HOH podcast directly on the website. 

Our special thanks to our friends that shared their talents and resources with us in creating the HOH website.

To Karen Bourdier for her photography work. 

To Quintin Blackwell for his photographs of Helen.

To Jeremy Zimmerman of Z Design for The Heart of Hospice logo and artwork. You can learn more about Jeremy at www.myzdesign.com. 

Finally, to Hard Bean Coffeehouse in Lumberton, TX for allowing us to have some extended time in their "space" to put the finishing touches on the website. There webpage is at www.hardbeanlumberton.com 

Please take some time to browse through our website, and send us a comment or question. We will continue to update our Facebook and Twitter accounts as well. More than anything we want to connect with you, and help you in your hospice journey. 

Diane Hullet, host of the Best Life Best Death podcast, believes in authentic conversations, holding space for those who are dying, and supporting others as they define their own “best death”. With the experience in her own family of eight deaths supported at home by hospice and having worked as a teacher for many years, Diane felt drawn to combine teaching with end of life work. She completed the Sacred Passage End of Life Doula course at The Conscious Dying Institute and the volunteer training at her local TRU Hospice. As an End of Life Doula, Diane empowers others during their end of life experience. She works to facilitate conversations about mortality that lead people to know what matters most to them. As the host of the Best Life Best Death podcast, she talks with experts working in the death and grief space. Diane brings a compassionate and authentic voice to her show, and to this great discussion.

Listen to the Best Life Best Death podcast here.

Read more about Diane Hullett’s work at bestlifebestdeath.com.

Sign up for Diane’s Best 3 Months course here.

If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Need a dynamic speaker for your event or conference? Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com) 

Follow The Heart of Hospice on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network, along with a host of other caregiving podcasts by clicking here.

We’re at it again - playing The Death Deck to get our recording session started!  What do Jerry and Helen believe about dying people seeing loved ones? Then we move on to sharing a great resource with you.  The Upside to Aging is a site designed to support caregivers.  Founder Molly Wisniewski has spent her career in aging and geriatric services. She’s an advocate for dignity in caregiving, especially for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Check out their resources at theupsidetoaging.com.  You can find articles, resources, and read about Molly’s story. Find more support at theheartofhospice.com.  We’re here for you because we know a hospice journey is 24/7.  Email us with questions or inquiries at host@theheartofhospice.com.  You are The Heart of Hospice! 

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 host@theheartofhospice.com.  Your end of life journey matters.  We never forget.  You are The Heart of Hospice. 

Funeral director and author Jodi Clock knows personally how each person finds a grief style that’s the best, healthy fit for themselves.  As host of the “I Woke Up Dead - Now What?” podcast, Jodi is having conversations about our common experiences with death, shares best practices, and asks the tough questions in order to prepare for end-of-life realities we all will face.  

Jodi learned valuable life lessons about grief and loss after experiencing the death of both her parents when Jodi was in her 20’s.  As a funeral director, she’s seen all the aspects of grief and how every individual has their own personal style of grief.  

In her newest book “It’s Complicated!” - What You Should Know About: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Long Term Care, End-of-Life Wishes and more”, Jodi provides guidance to help people advocate for themselves, know what questions to ask.  All too often people receive well intended mis-information.  Jodi’s book gives expert advice based on both her professional and personal experiences.  

Connect with Jodi Clock at jodiclock.com.  

Get your copy of “It’s Complicated! - What You Should Know About: Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Long Term Care, End-of-Life Planning and more” here.

See all of Jodi’s books at jodiclock.com/books.

Book Jodi to speak at your event here.   

Socials for Jodi:

Website: https://jodiclock.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-clock-b988908/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AskJodi/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodiclock/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/askjodi/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JodiMClock

Podcast: https://jodiclock.com/i-woke-up-dead-podcast/

Find all the resources that Barbara Karnes has to offer at bkbooks.com.

Purchase the End of Life Guideline Series Bundle here.

Find Barbara’s new booklet Always Offer, Never Force:  Food at the End of Life here. 

Read Barbara’s blog here. 

Connect with Barbara Karnes on social media:    Facebook    Insta     LinkedIn   Twitter   Pinterest  YouTube   

Order your copies of The Hospice Care Plan: A Path to Comfort here, now available in English and Spanish!  

Check out the free library of video tutorials from the creators of The Hospice Care Plan hospice nurses Nancy Heyerman and Brenda Kizzire here.  

Read more about Nancy and Brenda and their mission to improve hospice care here.

 Find Odonata Care on social media:  Facebook   YouTube  IG   TikTok   

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

We’re flexing our gratitude today to get 2021 started.  There’s no easier way to boost your self care wellness than practicing thankfulness.  We all know 2020 was challenging and at times, even heartbreaking.  In this New Year’s message, Helen and Jerry remember all the ways the past year helped us to grow.  Our Connection Moments campaign allowed us to encourage and support healthcare workers all over the country.  There have been opportunities to attend conferences virtually and find new virtual education resources.  Hospice and palliative care teams have learned to be creative in their use of telehealth during a time where social distancing kept us apart from our patients and their families.  Our resilience as a professional community grew from the challenges we face.  We think 2020 has equipped us to take on 2021 with courage, strength, and compassion.  If the new year finds you needing information about end of life care, you can find more support at theheartofhospice.com.  You’ll find more podcasts where we discuss advance care planning, hospice philosophy, and how an end of life care team works on The Heart of Hospice “Listen” page.  We never forget - your journey matters.  No matter who you are, or where you are in your hospice journey, you are The Heart of Hospice.

Our hospice colleague Helen Haddick has a unique blog. Helen shares incredibly transparent and sometimes heart-wrenching stories about her experiences as a hospice nurse.

Coming from a background of critical care, Helen has connected with end of life care in a deep way.  Her honesty is moving, and her dedication to both patients and families is palpable in her writing. It’s easy to conjure up vivid images of the work of a hospice nurse as you share hospice work through Helen’s eyes.

You can find her blog at fromsavingtosending.com. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. She’s simply amazing! 

The Heart of Hospice can connect you with vital information about end of life care, advance care planning, and self care for both professionals and unpaid caregivers. And be sure to listen to the end of this Heartbeat episode to hear Helen’s favorite Dolly Parton quote!

Hospice physician and podcaster Jordan Grumet is sharing how his work with hospice patients creates deep conversations about end of life planning, money, and life. Dr. Grumet is currently an associate medical director at Journeycare Hospice. After years of blogging about financial independence and wellness, Jordan launched the Earn & Invest podcast in 2018. In 2019 he received the Plutus Award for Best New Personal Finance Podcast and was nominated in 2020 for Best Personal Finance Podcast of the year.

Jordan believes in having end of life conversations early and often. He’s seen the positive influence of those conversations in the lives and deaths of his patients. After losing his dad at an early age, Jordan noticed people didn’t know how to be with him and his family, or what to say to them. Jordan wanted the medical care he provided to align with his patients' end of life wishes, so he joined a hospice interdisciplinary team. He considers his real job to be supporting his fellow team members as they provide the moment-to-moment, bedside care.  

Jordan endorses including financial discussions when we’re having conversations about healthcare needs in later life and when we’re approaching death. Caregivers are often dealing with money issues as well as the typical challenges of being a caregiver. Jordan’s podcast Earn and Invest deals with topics like focusing on retirement and determining the things that matter most. 

You can win a copy of Jordan Grumet’s book Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor’s Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life! Here’s how: 1. Leave a review for The Heart of Hospice podcast on Apple podcasts.    2. Just scroll down to the bottom of our show page, select a star rating, and tap "Leave a Review".          3. Send an email to host@theheartofhospice to let us know you left a review.                          4. If you’re one of the first 5 people to leave a review, you’ll receive a copy of Jordan’s book.                5. You’ll be notified by email that you’ve won, and we’ll ask for a mailing address.                      6. We’ll mail the book to you - enjoy!! 

Purchase a copy of Dr. Grumet’s book Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor’s Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-Free Life. 

Amazon Barnes and Noble Bookshop BAM

Listen to Jordan Grumet’s podcast Earn and Invest here. 

Visit Jordan’s website at jordangrumet.com.

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. 

Follow The Heart of Hospice on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network, along with a host of other caregiving podcasts by clicking here. 

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

1 out of 4 hospice patients in the U.S. are military veterans, and these veterans have very unique grief responses.  Hospice professionals can provide specialized bereavement care for the men and women who protect our country.  

In this episode, we discuss the unique concerns of military veterans and their grief that's often complicated by PTSD or survivor's guilt.  Those who serve military veterans also face a unique set of challenges, and may be affected by Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder (STSD).  

Resources mentioned in this episode:

www.wehonorveterans.org 
www.cms.gov

To learn more, please visit our website at www.theheartofhospice.com for resources about hospice, caregiving, advance care planning, and self care for personal and professional caregivers.  

If you have questions or comments, please email us at host@theheartofhospice.com, and you'll receive a personal response.  

Helen & Jerry give honor to all of the amazing nurses who work in hospice during National Nurses Week in the U.S. 

Most hospice nurses will tell you that hospice is their calling. It’s where they find meaning and purpose. The field of nursing has many specialties, hospice being one of them. In this episode, Helen & Jerry share a few ways that hospice nurses fulfill a unique role.

They provide comfort care, not curative care.

They enter into the patient’s and family’s environment.

Although they work with a team of clinical and psychosocial professionals, they are often called upon to provide the emotional and spiritual support for the patient and family.

Our thanks to all the nurses who have chosen hospice as their calling. You are appreciated more than you know. 

Follow us on our Facebook page and Twitter feed for more information and resources about hospice and ideas for the hospice professional. Follow our blog at our website, www.theheartofhospice.com/blog for insights and education. 

Welcome to our series on grief in collaboration with Gabby Jimenez of The Hospice Heart, featuring grief experts Isabel Stenzel and Lisa Pahl of The Death Deck.  Gabby, a hospice nurse, began noticing an increase in questions about grief on her Facebook group for The Hospice Heart.  She’s partnered with us at The Heart of Hospice to bring you this six part series on grief.  We’re going to be talking about numerous topics related to grief, including grief that seems to last for longer than it should, when to seek professional help for your grief, grieving for one person while caregiving for another person, and how to support grieving children.  Subject experts Isabel and Lisa will join in the discussions to provide guidance on resources and solutions to honor your grief, as well as the grief of your friends and family.  Subscribe to the podcast to hear this great series on navigating grief and loss.  You can subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, or listen on The Heart of Hospice website.  Don’t miss this great series on grief!   

Connect with Gabby Jiminez and The Hospice Heart at thehospiceheart.net. 

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice here: https://theheartofhospice.libsyn.com/

Connect with podcast host Jerry Fenter at jerry@theheartofhospice.com.

Connect with podcast host Helen Bauer at helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Send your questions and comments to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to hear from you!

Melanie McMillion has found meaning in her decades working as a hospice counselor and community educator. Melanie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and has worn a lot of hats as a hospice worker. She worked as the Director of Psychosocial Services, leading a 45-person interdisciplinary team of social workers, counselors, and spiritual care counselors to coordinate psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement services. As a hospice worker, she was an advocate for her team. Educating her community became Melanie’s focus later in her career. Her work in hospice gave Melanie an understanding of how compassion fatigue affects each member of the team. The unique structure of a hospice team enables each member to support the others to combat the effects of compassion fatigue. Melanie has found meaning in the decades she has spent working in hospice care.  

Find all the services and products Odonata Care offers at thecareplan.net.

Order your copies of The Care Plan here.

Check out the free video tutorials from Nancy Heyerman and Brenda Kizzire here.  

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com) 

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. 

Follow The Heart of Hospice on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network, along with a host of other caregiving podcasts by clicking here.

In a story that inspired the nation, New York City police detective Lou Alvarez advocated in support of the first responders who served at Ground Zero following the 911 attack.  Helen and Jerry were honored to sit down with his brother Phil Alvarez, and talk about the Alvarez’s family’s journey. As a veteran detective with the Suffolk County Police Department, Phil knows the meaning of duty and sacrifice.  His brother made the ultimate sacrifice, walking through treatment for stage 4 cancer, and finally, time in hospice care.

Phil shows his dedication to carrying on Lou’s legacy by reaching out to any first responders that might be experiencing health effects after working with rescue and recovery efforts in New York.  If you served at Ground Zero and need information about benefits available to you, contact Phil at (855) 585-1399.  You can find additional information on the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund website  or The Feal Good Foundation. 

The Heart of Hospice salutes the first responders that serve our country and we honor the legacy of Lou and Phil Alvarez.  You are The Heart of Hospice.

In this final episode of our special 4 part series, Hospice Educator Barbara Karnes shares the personal story of her husband’s end of life journey and death.  She opens up about all the emotions she experienced as she and her family supported Jack Karnes after his diagnosis with a terminal illness.  Jack died four months after he was diagnosed with lung cancer.  Barbara and Jack had been married for 61 years at the time of his death.   After working over 40 years in end of life care, Barbara experienced all the aspects of interdisciplinary hospice care, death, and grief in her personal life.  

We’re grateful for Barbara’s generosity and vulnerability in telling her story.  After all the years she has spent educating hospice workers and end of life caregivers, she’s still teaching us.  

We’d like to thank Lisa Pahl, founder of The Death Death and End of Life, for sponsoring this special series in honor of National Family Caregivers Month and National Hospice and Palliative Care Month (National Home Care Month).  

Here’s are some details of what Barbara shares in this touching interview:

• What the process of a hospice admission is truly like
• The impact of staffing changes on the trust bond with a caregiver
• Learning to live as a “me” after living as a “we” after 60 years of marriage
• The many emotions she experienced when Jack was terminally ill
• The music she wants to be part of her advance care plan 

Connect with Barbara Karnes:

Website: bkbooks.com

Blog:  bkbooks.com

Shop her products:  bkbooks.com

Socials:    Facebook     Instagram     LinkedIn     Twitter     Pinterest     YouTube

Email: barbara@bkbooks.com

Thank you to our series sponsor The Death Deck!  

Connect with the End of Life Deck and the Death Deck:

Website:  thedeathdeck.comhttps://thedeathdeck.com/

Shop:  End of Life Deck   Death Deck

Socials for the Death Deck:  Facebook   IG   Twitter (X)

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer

Website:  theheartofhospice.com

Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com

More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast

Being a healthcare advocate for someone you love can be challenging. In the first episode of our Patient Advocacy Series, we’re talking about...talking.  Communication is key.  Everyone needs an advocate, someone who can keep track of information and coordinate with the healthcare team.  The exchange of information during serious illness can be overwhelming!  Being able to communicate clearly and directly with anyone providing your care is crucial. Be sure to identify yourself and who the patient is every time you have to talk with a care provider.  Explain what the need is.  Your hospice team can provide better care based on the information you provide.  Write down the instructions you get; when you’re tired or grieving you might forget what you’ve been told.  And ask questions fearlessly!  If you’re a hospice professional, remember the rules of communication apply to you too.  Patients and caregivers need to hear terms they understand at a pace that allows for their comprehension.  Leave written instructions and be sure to coordinate with the rest of the team about any changes in the patient’s status.  If you need more information about being an advocacy for someone's end of life journey, check out theheartofhospice.com.  The website is here to help you 24/7.  We’re here to help make your hospice journey the best possible.  You are The Heart of Hospice!  

Myths about hospice continue to abound. In this episode we will demystify the common myths of hospice, and share information that is accurate and up-to-date. Open and honest information is needed to eliminate the fear and mystery that surrounds hospice care.

In today's episode our Heart of Hospice tip recommends the website happify (12:00). To go directly to the website just follow this link.

We encourage you to contact us with any questions regarding hospice, or to tell us your hospice story. You can contact us on FaceBook at facebook.com/theheartofhospice on Twitter, @thehearthospice, or by traditional email at host@theheartofhospice.com

We look forward to hearing from you.

Hospice agencies often hold memorial services to honor the lives of patients they’ve served, inviting the families and team members who cared for those patients. Today’s episode features a talk Helen shared at a hospice memorial service. It can be a very meaningful event, designed to comfort those who are grieving a loss.  Helen shares her personal hospice journey, including her own experience with grief.  Grief is a complicated human experience.  Everybody does it differently.  You have to live through your grief journey on your own terms.  You’ll find resources for your hospice journey, whether you’re a consumer or a provider of end of life care, at theheartofhospice.com.  If you’re looking for a speaker for your agency’s memorial service or event, send an email to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to partner with you. No matter who you are, or where you are in your hospice journey, you are The Heart of Hospice.

Dr. Robert Klitzman has learned the truth about the value of spiritual care through his professional practice and his own lived experience.  As an author, he’s written over 180 articles and books on critical issues in bioethics regarding doctor-patient relationships and communication, research, and other areas.  Robert realized the whole-person impacts of a traumatic grief event after the death of his sister in the Twin Tower attacks on 9-11.  

Speaking with physician colleagues, Robert heard them voice erroneous beliefs about the support that chaplains provide.  His book Doctor, Will You Pray for Me?: Medicine, Chaplains, and Healing the Whole Person describes an in-depth look into the work of hospital chaplains.  The book demonstrates how chaplains, as part of an interdisciplinary team, help families “make sense of serious disease and threats of death and other medical crises, seeking hope, purpose and larger connections beyond themselves”. 

Buy your copy of Dr. Klitzman’s book Doctor, Will You Pray for Me?: Medicine, Chaplains, and Healing the Whole Person here. 

Find all of Dr. Klitzman’s works here.  

Information for Jennifer O’Brien

Website: jenniferaobrien.com 

Read more about Jennifer O’Brien here.

Purchase your copy of Care Boss by Jennifer O’Brien here.

Buy your copy of The Hospice Doctor’s Widow: An Art Journal of Caregiving and Grief here. 

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer

Website:  theheartofhospice.com

Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com

More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Being a caregiver is a difficult job. Being a caregiver without any experience is even more difficult. We recommend Living With Dying by Jahnna Beecham & Katie Ortlip, as the most helpful resource available for caregivers. We offer our review of the book in this episode of Heartbeat. 

Living With Dying is a comprehensive resource that explains every aspect of caregiving form diagnosis to death to bereavement.  Every caregiver should have a copy of this book in their possession.  To learn more about this most helpful resource, visit their website at this link: www.livingwithdying.com. 

To learn more about hospice, caregiving, self care and advance care planning, be sure and visit our website at www.theheartofhospice.com. Just follow the link.  To correspond with the host of The Heart of Hospice, please email us at host@theheartofhospice.com. We would ask you to take a moment to write a review about the podcast on iTunes, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  

National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16, and the purpose of National Healthcare Decisions Day is to encourage everyone to have the conversation about their advance care plans with family, friends and healthcare providers.  Learn more about NHDD in this episode.

From the NHDD website: “NHDD, an initiative of The Conversation Project, exists as a 50-state annual initiative to provide clear, concise, and consistent information on healthcare decision-making to both the public and providers/facilities through the widespread availability and dissemination of simple, free, and uniform tools (not just forms) to guide the process.”

#NHDD
#TheConversationProject
#CommonPractice
#MyLifeandWishes
#DrJessicaZitter
#Extremis

To learn more about hospice, advance care planning, caregiving resources and self care tips, visit The Heart of Hospice website and blog. Please join our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more information and resources, and to discover the latest hospice news and trends.  

Happy Friday everyone! Helen & Jerry discuss the power of numbers in this Five for Friday episode. Numbers tell a story. From a clinical perspective, numbers reveal the status of the body: blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, blood sugars, etc. It's not all about the numbers, though. Numbers matter, but we have to see the patient beyond just their numbers. 

A quote by Dame Cicely Saunders reminds us of the humanity of our patients. She said, "You matter because you are you, and you matter until the end of your life." 

Here's a few other quotes from this episode.

"We take care of people, not patients." --Helen Bauer

"The most important number is "1". Because the 1 patient, the 1 family, the 1 life that matters, is the 1 that's in front of you right now. That's the person that matters." -- Jerry Fenter

We need your help. Would you take just a minute out of your busy day to rate our podcast? The more ratings that we receive, the more people we have the potential to reach with the message about hospice. Thank you for taking the time to help us. 

Do you have questions, suggestions, comments for Helen & Jerry. You can reach us by email at host@theheartofhospice.com or on our FaceBook or Twitter accounts. We are always eager to hear from our listeners. 

Hospice nurse Shelley Henry is supporting nurses working in end of life care with advocacy, video tips, and support for their self care.  Shelley uses the two words “divine intervention” to describe how she got ino working with patients at the end of their lives.   After 20 years in the hospice industry, Shelley remains committed to preserving the art of hospice nursing. She’s the president of The Amity Group, a staffing firm exclusively catering to hospice.  Shelley posts videos across her social media platforms featuring practical tips and guidance for hospice nursing.  

Shelley has designed a nurses’ bag that has all the pockets and places that hospice nurses need.  Check out the Tip Bag (along with her hospice documentation resources) at amitystaffing.com.

Find all the training and consulting services of the Amity Group here.

Watch Shelley’s videos on her social media.     Facebook    LinkedIn    IG    TikTok

Register for the Tree of Life Conference from the International Doula Life Movement here. 

Want to know more about doulas, or connect with others who are doing death doula work?  Visit internationaldoulalifemovement.com. 

If you’re interested in becoming a certified death doula through IDLM, click here.

Access all the courses that IDLM provides here.

See all the events that IDLM is offering by clicking here.  

Connect with IDLM on social media.   Facebook    IG   YouTube 

If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by emailing helen@theheartofhospice.com.

If you’re having difficulty sleeping these days, we’ve got some tips for you.  Jerry and Helen are sharing details about how you can get the most out of your sleeping hours.  Using guidance from The Sleep Institute, we’ve learned it’s the little habits that help with getting to sleep, staying asleep, and staying energized during the day.  Exercise, food and substance intake, screen time with blue light all affect how well we sleep.  If you’re a caregiver, unpaid or professional, you need all the good sleep you can get!  Caregiving uses up energy and might be experiencing more fatigue than usual due to the stress of COVID-19.  Be intentional with your sleep hygiene.  This episode of The Heart of Hospice is sponsored by Niagara Hospice of western NY state.  Niagara Hospice’s team put together a meaningful remote remembrance service to honor the patients and families they’ve served. You can find their “Forget Me Not” service on the Niagara website https://www.niagarahospice.org/blog/100051/Niagara_Hospice_Virtual_Remembrance_Ceremony.  Whether you’re grieving a personal loss or dealing with secondary grief as a healthcare professional, you’ll find meaning in Niagara Hospice’s  beautiful service.  You can find more information and support for your hospice journey at theheartofhospice.com.  Connect with Jerry and Helen by sending an email to host@theheartofhospice.com.  Because a hospice journey is 24/7, you can access theheartofhospice.com to find resources for advance care planning, self care, and hospice 101.  No matter where you are in your hospice journey, you are The Heart of Hospice!

Physician Dr. Ira Byock is a voice for change in the hospice industry, and an advocate for quality end of life care. His many years of experience in hospice medicine, coupled with the compassion he has for people dealing with serious illness, have made him an industry leader in the U.S. According to his website (irabyock.org), he is “Founder of the Institute for Human Caring at Providence St. Joseph Health. Dr. Byock is Active Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Community & Family Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. He served as Director of Palliative Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire from 2003 through July 2013. Dr. Byock has been involved in hospice and palliative care since 1978. His research has contributed to conceptual frameworks for the lived experience of illness that encompasses a continuum from suffering to wellbeing; related measures for subjective quality of life during illness; and effective life-completion counseling methods. From 1996 to 2006 he directed Promoting Excellence in End-of-Life Care, a national Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program that developed prototypes for concurrent palliative care of people with life-threatening conditions. He is a past president of the Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.”  

What Dr. Byock’s bio doesn’t describe is his caring heart. It drives his dedication to identifying the issues we face in the hospice industry and offering evidence-based, practical solutions. He wants the hospice silo of healthcare to correct its own path. Dr. Byock believes hospice can heal its own dysfunction by holding providers and clinicians responsible for the care we provide and how we provide it. His articles in STAT magazine and the Journal of Palliative Medicine describe actionable, practical solutions. Hospice practitioners of every discipline can learn from Dr. Byock.  

Connect with Dr. Byock at irabyock.org.

Find and purchase Dr. Byock’s books, including The Four Things That Matter Most, by clicking here. 

Read Dr. Byock’s STAT article Hospice Care Needs Saving here. 

Read Dr. Byock’s article Core Roles and Responsibilities of Physicians in Hospice Care: A Statement by and for U.S. Hospice and Palliative Care Physicians by clicking here.                                                                                      28 Apr 2023https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2023.0194

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. 

Follow The Heart of Hospice on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network and other caregiving podcasts by clicking here. 

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

As Editor-in-Chief of The Bucket, David Abend takes on the ultimate marketing challenge: rebranding death by showing how embracing mortality can lead to a more fulfilling life. The Bucket is an online magazine that helps people make choices to reduce deathbed regrets (DBRs). With a background in creative direction and copywriting, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief David Abend has spent decades helping people see things differently. The Bucket offers a mix of podcasts, interviews, and articles that go beyond inspiration, providing actionable “how-to’s” for making meaningful life changes. As an extension of The Bucket, David is also a Certified Life Coach where he helps guide clients to make intentional, purpose-driven decisions that won’t leave them wondering, “What If?”.

Connect with The Bucket and The Bucket Life Coaching with David Abend:

Bucket url is: www.Thebucket.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebucketonline

Instagram: #Thebucketonline

The Bucket Life Coaching: www.thebucketlifecoaching.com

Interested in purchasing a GrandPad to stay connected with a senior loved one?  

Get more information at https://www.grandpad.net/thoh.

GrandPad website: https://www.grandpad.net/

Social Media for GrandPad

https://facebook.com/grandpad

https://instagram.com/grandpad_social/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/grandpad

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuFAJCb7_tTneM_ikABq08Q

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer

Website:  theheartofhospice.com

Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com

More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast

Grief will often surprise us with something we didn't expect. The "I didn't know it would feel like this" moments. In this series of Heartbeat episodes LPC Chuck Olliff shares his insights on ways to cope with the unexpected components of grief. 

In today's episode we discuss how to cope with guilt, regret and shame after a death.  These emotions often surprise us with their intensity.  Chuck shares coping strategies that can help mitigate the impact of these sometimes negative emotions.  

For more insights and tips about hospice, caregiving, bereavement, self care, and advance care planning please visit The Heart of Hospice website. There's a new journal entry on The Heart of Hospice blog that publishes every Sunday. 

You can sign up to receive regular emails from The Heart of Hospice to let our listeners know when a new podcast or blog has been published. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 

The death of Leilani Maxera’s grandmother changed her, propelling her into a career path she hadn’t predicted. Now she’s a social worker, a home funeral advocate, and a grief worker supporting families who have experienced Medical Aid in Dying. 

Hospice was never offered to her grandmother, and this made Leilani an outspoken advocate for advance care planning and end of life care. She’s also a spokesperson for home funerals, and sits on the board of the National Home Funeral Alliance. Leilani provides capacity evaluations for people who are considering Medical Aid in Dying. Those evaluations are required by the state of Hawaii as part of the MAID process. She’s working to correct the misinformation out there about MAID and to reduce the stigma attached to a MAID death.  

As the owner of Kaipuokaualoku in Hawaii, Leilani provides individual counseling, grief counseling, and grief support for individuals who have experienced Medical Aid in Dying with a loved one. A safe, nonjudgmental space to talk is important for someone who’s had a MAID loss.  

Read more about Leilani and the services that she offers at Kaipuokaualoku at leilanimaxera.com.

Find information about Leilani’s Medical Aid in Dying Bereavement group here.

Connect with the National Home Funeral Alliance at homefuneralalliance.org.

Get your copy of the NHFA Home Funeral Guidebook (available on a pay-what-you-can basis) by clicking here.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. 

Follow The Heart of Hospice on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network, along with a host of other caregiving podcasts by clicking here. 

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com) 

Death Doula Jo-Anne Haun has found growth and meaning in working with the dying. As co-founder of Death Doula Network International, Jo-Anne works to support and educate about the work of death doulas. Jo-Anne uses her personal gift of gentle humor in her volunteer work as a therapy clown (Code Name: Buttons). Jo-Anne’s habit of incorporating a little fun into a discussion about end of life wishes is a gentle lead-in to deeper conversations about dying and death.  

You can connect with Jo-Anne Haun at eola.ca.

Find Death Doula Network International at ddnint.com.  

Order your copies of The Care Plan here. It’s available in English and Spanish!

Check out the free video tutorials from Nancy Heyerman and Brenda Kizzire here.  

Register for the Tree of Life Conference from the International Doula Life Movement here. 

Want to know more about doulas, or connect with others who are doing death doula work? Visit internationaldoulalifemovement.com. 

If you’re interested in becoming a certified death doula through IDLM, click here.

Access all the courses that IDLM provides here.

See all the events that IDLM is offering by clicking here.  

Connect with IDLM on social media. Facebook  IG YouTube 

If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com) 

Follow The Heart of Hospice: Facebook, IG Twitter (X) LinkedIn. 

Hospice patients and families love their volunteers! This week’s Heartbeat shares the truth about the role of the hospice volunteer.  Hospice agencies are required by regulation to recruit volunteers to supplement the patient care hours provided by the agency staff.  There are many different jobs volunteers can do, everything from administrative tasks in the office to visits to patients’ homes.  Volunteers do things like reading to a patient, providing companionship, walking dogs, and fixing a light meal.  There are some restrictions on what volunteers can do. They're not allowed to give medications or change a bandage on a wound.  The volunteer is responsible for reporting back to the interdisciplinary team, letting them know if the patient is having symptom issues or has had a change in status.  There’s no payment for working as a volunteer but the reward is priceless!  If you’re interested in being a hospice volunteer, check out the Serve page on theheartofhospice.com for more information.  We’ve got podcasts to help you with all your hospice questions.  Check out our Podcast page to learn more.  Got a hospice question? Send it to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We’re happy to help - you are The Heart of Hospice. 

This week Helen & Jerry consider the purpose of the Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA). The purpose of the MPOA is to designate someone to make your healthcare decisions for you in the event that you’re incapacitated, and unable to make those decisions yourself.

For more information about the MPOA, visit NHDD.org or CaringInfo.org. Both of these websites have information regarding how to select your healthcare agent. 

Visit our website at www.theheartofhospice.com for more resources regarding end of life decisions. 

When patients who are dying are asked to discuss their lives, the discussion doesn't usually include how much money they earned. People who are dying don't usually talk about the big promotions at work or the retirement fund they built over the years.

They talk about their experiences. They talk about what they’ve done.

Where they went.

Who they met.

Places to which they travelled.

Wonders that they saw.

People they loved.

In this episode of Five for Friday, Helen & Jerry discuss the difference between having and having done.

To read more about this be sure and check out our blog at www.theheartofhospice.com.

You can also find many hospice related resources on our Facebook and Twitter pages, just search for The Heart of Hospice. Join our group on Facebook to receive regular updates, and follow us on Twitter to read the latest hospice news. 

In these days of social distancing, it might be a challenge to connect with the partners who hold us accountable for our healthy self care habits. Jerry and Helen have some tips to help you be successful.  Use the technology that’s out there - a lot of it is free.  Try phone calls, video chats, or Facetime.  If you have the space to maintain the right healthy distance, you and your partner can do yoga or workout routines.  It’s all about being healthy!  There are remote options for your faith life through live streamed or televised worship services.  Be creative and think of special ways to stay connected with your faith family.  And we haven’t forgotten about self care for your mind!  Try out an online course, a remote book club, or participate in a creative class to stimulate your mind.  Stay consistent and be there for your accountability partners, no matter how far apart you are!  The Heart of Hospice cares about your hospice journey.  Healthy self care will help you to have the best end of life experience, whether you’re a hospice professional, a patient or a caregiver.  You are The Heart of Hospice!

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.

In part 2 of our grief series with Grief Coach Shelby Forsythia, Shelby talks about identifying your grief allies, different grief styles, and how to create continuing bonds with the ones you’ve lost.  As founder of Life After Loss Academy, she uses what she’s learned in the years after her mother’s death to help other grievers make their way through a grief journey.  Shelby uses mindfulness techniques and open-ended questions to guide her clients to welcome grief as a teacher.  Shelby’s work has been featured in Huffington Post, Bustle, and The Oprah Magazine.  Her heart and compassion is palpable in her book Your Grief, Your Way. 

Connect with Shelby Forsythia:

Website: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelbyforsythia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelbyforsythia/

Free Podcast: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/dear-grief-guide-podcast

Free Workshop: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/free-workshop

Book, Your Grief, Your Way: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/your-grief-your-way

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

Your body cannot heal without play.
Your mind cannot heal without laughter.
Your soul cannot heal without joy.
-- Catherine Rippenger Fenwick

Through the month of January Helen & Jerry will be discussing the benefits of humor for the mind, body, and spirit.  Humor should be a part of a everyone's healthy self care program, simply for the benefits it provides.

In this 5 for Friday Helen & Jerry discuss the benefits of humor and laughter for the mind.  Did you know that on average children laugh approximately 300 times a day, while adults only laugh approximately 17 times a day.  It's no wonder so many adults are feeling stressed and burned out.  

There are some great things about laughter. 

• Laughter is contagious.
• Laughing burns calories.  It's often called internal jogging. 
• Laughter is cross-cultural.  You don't even have to speak the same language to enjoy a laugh together. 

The are many positive benefits of humor for the mind.

• Regulates cortisol and epinephrine, which are stress hormones.
• It boosts your immune system
• Increases endorphins, which reduce pain and provide feelings of pleasure.
• Effects dopamine levels that regulate mood, motivation, and learning.

So for your own benefit, laugh a little more!

Today’s guest Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar is a Veteran, death doula, compassionate educator, and the founder of In Their Honor, a national initiative raising awareness and addressing Veterans' unique challenges as they approach the end of life.  Qwynn is also the spouse of a combat veteran and understands the role of veteran caregivers.  

1 in 4 Medicare hospice patients is a U.S. military veteran - a quarter of the Medicare hospice population.  Those veterans have special needs when it comes to the end of their lives.  Qwynn recognizes the importance of identifying moral injury, a history of combat service, PTSD, and events of military sexual trauma (for both female and male veterans). Discussion of suicidal ideation and depression should also be a part of their end of life care.  Often veterans have terminal illnesses that are related to their military service, including Agent Orange and burn pit exposure.  The needs of veteran caregivers are unique as well.  Their emotional response and grief may include resentment, depression, anger, guilt, and regret. 

Find more information about In Their Honor at intheirhonor.info.  

Connect with Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar on LinkedIn here.

Find all the resources that Barbara Karnes has to offer at bkbooks.com.

Purchase the End of Life Guideline Series Bundle here.

Read Barbara’s blog here. 

Connect with Barbara Karnes on social media:    Facebook    Insta     LinkedIn   Twitter   Pinterest  YouTube   

Order your copies of The Hospice Care Plan: A Plan to Comfort here, now available in English and Spanish!  

Check out the free library of video tutorials from the creators of The Hospice Care Plan hospice nurses Nancy Heyerman and Brenda Kizzire here.  

Read more about Nancy and Brenda and their mission to improve hospice care here.

 Find Odonata Care on social media:  Facebook   YouTube  IG   TikTok   

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

This trio of End of Life Doulas is educating the public and other doulas about EOL doula work, and how they support people as they die.  Diane Button, Gabby Jimenez, and Angela Shook are sharing their wisdom along with practical guidance for doula work.  With heart, compassion, and respect for the intensity of death, the three EOL doulas discussed the unknowns about doulas.  They openly acknowledge the difficulties doulas face when starting their practice, and the public’s lack of awareness about doula work. 

Diane, Gabby, and Angela have collaborated to write The Doula Tool Kit: The Complete Practical Guide for End-of-Life Doulas & Caregivers.  It’s the quintessential guide to the services of EOL (or death) doulas, providing tips and templates for new doulas to jump-start their doula practice.  Caregivers, nurses, and other hospice workers can benefit from the book as well.  Anyone working with someone with a serious illness or their caregivers should know the work of End of Life Doulas. 

Purchase a copy of The Doula Tool Kit: The Complete Practical Guide for End-of-Life Doulas & Caregivers by clicking here.     

Connect with Diane Button at dianebutton.com 

 Find Angela Shook at angelashook.com.  

 Connect with Gabby Jimenez at The Hospice Heart website.  

Register for the Tree of Life Conference from the International Doula Life Movement here. 

Want to know more about doulas, or connect with others who are doing death doula work?  Visit internationaldoulalifemovement.com. 

If you’re interested in becoming a certified death doula through IDLM, click here.

Access all the courses that IDLM provides here.

See all the events that IDLM is offering by clicking here.  

Connect with IDLM on social media.   Facebook    IG   YouTube 

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

Hospice nurses Nancy Heyerman and Brenda Kizzire are on a mission to transform the end-of-life experience through education and support. They know what it takes to be a caregiver for someone with a serious illness. Between them Nancy and Brenda have over 40 years of hospice nursing experience. They’re The Hospice Queens! Like so many hospice nurses in the US, Brenda and Nancy have watched caregivers struggle with providing the best care at home. The two nurses designed the Care Plan booklet to support and educate hospice caregivers, as well as clinicians who were new to the hospice team. According to thecareplan.net, “the Care Plan was born out of the challenges experienced in supporting and educating hospice clients - especially the distressed calls, day and night, from anxious caregivers, family members, and patients asking questions many times over. The Care Plan effectively empowers patients and the care circle with this valuable information that can be accessed anytime, along with HOW-TO VIDEOS demonstrating personal care.”  

The Odonata founders are passionate about supporting their colleagues and the caregiving community. Check out all the resources Odonata Care has to offer! 

Find all the services and products Odonata Care offers at thecareplan.net.

Order your copies of The Care Plan here.

Check out the free video tutorials from Nancy Heyerman and Brenda Kizzire here.  

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com. 

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

Find more information about hospice philosophy, end of life care, and self care for both personal and professional caregivers here.  

Connect with The Heart of Hospice podcast on The Whole Care Network, along with a host of other caregiver podcasts by clicking here.

We’re talking about dying today - no surprise there. But what’s the best place to die? Hospice professionals will tell you that a “good death” doesn’t occur in the hospital.

If the hospice interdisciplinary team doesn’t consider where the patient would like to die, it’s not really respecting the rights of the patient. Those rights, in the form of end of life wishes, form the foundation for every hospice plan of care. 

Seriously ill people can feel strongly about whether dying at home, in their own beds with family present is a good fit for them. Hospice teams should listen closely to what patients are saying, and do everything they can to make those wishes happen. Read about palliative care physician Dr. Richard Leiter’s personal experience with a family death in the hospital here. 

Connect with us on theheartofhospice.com, and send us an email at host@theheartofhospice.com.  We’re honored to be part of your hospice journey - you are The Heart of Hospice!

In episode 3 of our Patient Rights series, we’re talking about the right to choose a physician to manage a patient’s care while on hospice.  When receiving hospice care, the patient or decision-maker has the right to choose which physician will manage care.  The hospice agency is required to let the patient know he can choose an “attending physician”, a doctor who works alongside the hospice medical director and the hospice interdisciplinary team.  Patients often ask a doctor who’s been their primary care provider, someone who knows them well.  Hospice teams are required to include that attending physician in coordinating care.  Some physicians may choose not to be an attending physician when they’re asked.  There are several possible reasons a doctor might not want to be an attending physician.  Maybe symptom management is not their skill set, or they’re not familiar with the kind of care that’s needed at the end of life.  Nurse practitioners can also serve as attending physicians for a hospice patient.  If there isn’t an attending physician the patient would like to continue providing care, the patient can simply choose the hospice medical director as his/her attending physician.  It’s your right!  

Find more Patient Rights here:

Patient Rights Document from the National Association of Home Care and Hospice

Find more information about hospice philosophy, end-of-life care, and self-care for both personal and professional caregivers here. 

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice here: https://theheartofhospice.libsyn.com/

The hosts of The Heart of Hospice podcast would be honored to speak at your event or conference.  Send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com or jerry@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to partner with you!

Connect with podcast host Jerry Fenter at jerry@theheartofhospice.com.

Connect with podcast host Helen Bauer at helen@theheartofhospice.com.

There’s some serious information overload happening right now in our COVID-19 world.  It can seem like too much, but if you’ve got extra time at home, these TED talks are some great ways to fill your time, especially if you’re a hospice or palliative care professional. 

The online resources we’re sharing with you today center around what it’s like to be seriously ill, death, and dying. We recommend that you watch Justin Baldoni’s talk called “Why I Started My Last Days”, on the End Well YouTube channel (endwellproject.org).  You should also check out some TED talks by Dr. B.J. Miller (What Really Matters) and Michelle Knox (“Talk about your death while you’re still healthy”). These talks are a great way to remind you of your “why” and renew your energy for taking care of terminally ill patients.

We hope you’re taking good care of your Self - mind, body, and spirit, because you are The Heart of Hospice.

Founder Kevin Long and the team at Give A Mile help to connect loved ones when they need it most. After experiencing the loss of his close friend Ryan, Kevin launched Give A Mile. According to the Give A Mile website, “Give A Mile is a group of dedicated volunteers who believe strongly in the power of visits from loved ones for people in palliative or critical condition.”  The organization uses donated flight miles to purchase flights that allow family members to travel to be with critically ill loved ones.  100% of donations go to “flights of compassion” and associated travel fees (taxes, transfers).  The operating costs for Give A Mile are fundraised for separately.  Give A Mile believes in total transparency - their financial records are posted on the website. You can hear Kevin’s story on the Give A Mile website, and read Ryan’s blog.  If you feel inspired to help the Give A Mile team connect families at such a crucial moment in life, click here.  Remember you can donate your unused flight miles or make a monetary donation. Hospice and palliative care teams can help connect their patients with Give A Mile by clicking here. To contact the Give A Mile team, send an email to info@giveamile.org.  If you need more information about getting the best hospice care you can, go to theheartofhospice.com.  Have a question?  Send it to host@theheartofhospice.com.  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.