Hospice Explained Podcast

End-of-life, death, bereavement, and grief are undeniably sensitive topics, but they are an inherent part of the human experience. When someone loses a loved one, grief becomes an inevitable companion, and receiving the right support becomes essential for fostering a healthy outcome. Grief is an intrinsic aspect of love, representing a lifelong response that brings about profound changes in an individual. During such trying times, providing authentic support to those who are grieving becomes paramount, devoid of dismissive phrases like "I know how you feel" or superficial reassurances. Being present, choosing our words with care, and sharing cherished memories of the deceased while acknowledging them by name can offer solace and validation. This way, we provide an opportunity to honor the departed by speaking their name aloud once again. In a candid discussion, Alison Potter delves into the intricacies of grief and comfort, recounting her personal journey after losing her husband. She also sheds light on the valuable work of Give A Mile in the end-of-life space, and her business, Expected Outcome.

Alison is a palliative RN and a volunteer with Give A Mile, a registered charity in both Canada and the US. Their mission is to provide flights for people at end-of-life to connect with their loved ones for a final goodbye. Since they started, they have given away nine hundred and sixty-four (964) free flights, and their goal is to make it a thousand (1000) this year, their tenth anniversary year. Alison has been a Registered Nurse for almost 40 years, worked for over 25 years as a Palliative Care Nurse in Palliative Home Care, Palliative Consult Team in Acute Care, and was the Director of Clinical Care at Rosedale Hospice in Calgary from 2009 to 2018. Allison launched her business, Expected Outcome, in May 2022 to support and educate people on death, grief, and bereavement.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Episode;

[00:30] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Alison potter

[00:56] Give A Mile, the Why behind it, and what they offer in the end-of-life space

[06:16] Alison’s role as an outreach coordinator and flight recipient at Give A Mile

[07:34] How to donate money or miles to Give A Mile and how they work

[09:39] Inspiring stories of recent flight applicants’ unforgeable reunion experiences

[16:09] The maximum amount Give A Mile provides and why they don’t disclose it

[17:26] Grief and how Allison supports people through her business “Expected Outcome.”

[20:57] Why sharing stories and using the name of the deceased is priceless

[25:44] Alison’s word of encouragement to those grieving for pets

[29:09] Wrap-up and end of the show

● End-of-life care can be anywhere; residential hospice, home, hospital, and long-term care center, or in an ICU where the outcome is uncertain and someone is not expected to survive. [04:04]

● Telling someone grieving that you know how they feel, they can have another baby, or time heals our wounds hurts because it doesn’t; grief is a price for love, and it’s lifelong. [19:04]

● Be there, say the right things, and talk about the disease by name, grief is already sad, and by doing this, you are not making them sadder; you are giving them an opportunity to get their loved one name out loud again. [21:48]

Alison Potter

Website: https://giveamile.org/

Website: https://expectedoutcome.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-potter-rn-bscn-chpcn-b449064b/?

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thealybird

Marie's Contact: [email protected] www.hospiceexplained.com http://buymeacoffee.com/hospice [email protected] Leave a Voicemail: 206-705-3080

The impact of losing a loved one differs for each person. Death, with its brutal certainty, carries a mysterious beauty for some people. It may be a blessing in disguise sometimes. Though the blessings may be hard to see at first, embracing them allows us to cherish life and the memory of those we have lost. Acknowledging the pain, hurt, and loneliness that follows grief is essential because you are not alone in your journey.

Join this conversation with your host Marie Betcher as coach Andrew T. Shaw joins her. In 2019, just after Christmas, Andrew suffered the heartbreaking loss of his father. Amidst his grief, he continues to find solace in counting the blessings bestowed upon him during the final week in Hospice. Each person's end-of-life journey is unique, yet many powerful parallels exist. Andrew documented those experiences in a book, “Cheers, Dad," that can be found as an audiobook in Audible and also on Amazon. By sharing the blessings experienced in those last days and embracing their significance in this episode, Andrew will motivate you to discover strength and comfort to navigate this difficult period.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Episode;

[00:00] Introduction to the show and quick bio of the quest; Andrew T. Shaw

[03:13] Andrew’s backstory and what he does in his space to make the world better

[05:21] Name of Andrew’s book and how you can get your copy

[07:54] The six months of Andrew’s dad in hospice care

[08:46] The unmatched benefits of starting hospice care sooner

[10:11] How hospice helps one get rid of the fear of death

[12:52] Andrew’s double tragedy of an injured mum while dad was in hospice

[16:23] The availability of nurses in the six months of his dad’s hospice care

[17:25] Things Andrew had to fix and adjust while going through hospice

[18:55] Experiences of his dad’s last week before passing on

[24:29] One of the greatest moments of communication he had with his dad

[27:33] The hard question to ask your loved one

[27:55] Wrap-up and end of the show

● It’s always a blessing when hospice is started earlier. [08:46]

● Most people are never into the reality of death. Hospice aims to remove that fear and get you mentally ready. [10:11]

● As hard as it can be, you must gain the courage to ask your loved one how they would want a celebration of their life well lived to look like. [27:35]

1. Marie’s other podcast, Hospice Encounters: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hospice-encounters/id1622451693
2. Andrew’s Audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/Cheers-Dad-Audiobook/B0BKR4JBPD
3. CHEERS, DAD: Blessings from his last week in Hospice by Andrew T. Shaw: https://amzn.to/3CBiTmd

If you would like to share an encounter with hospice, please email me at [email protected]

Do you want to Support this podcast with a coffee? You can do so here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hospice.

Marie's Contact: [email protected] www.hospiceexplained.com http://buymeacoffee.com/hospice [email protected] Leave a Voicemail: 206-705-3080

It is wonderful to lend a hand to our friends and coworkers when they are in need because even small gestures can mean a lot over time. Imagine if your friend is going through a tough situation where a loved one is in hospice care. With all the patient's important care, it is kind to be there for your friend. This might involve helping with things like laundry, taking care of their kids, tidying up, or just showing empathy in any small way you can think of.

When you do this, it is important to ensure your actions have a positive and lasting impact. Especially when someone is grieving, your support matters a great deal. Join this conversation with Marie as she shares more about how we can make a difference in someone’s life by helping them, even in grief.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Episode;

[00:30] Episode intro and what is in for you in today’s episode

[01:50] Key milestones in the podcast, courtesy of your help

[02:43] Two of the most kind reviews about the podcast

[03:30] How you can email Marie for some great hospice reads

[03:52] Ways you can support the podcast through “buy me a coffee”

[04:11] The golden benefits of helping your friends going through hospice

[05:37] How to be of help to others

[05:47] Helping a grieving friend

[06:28] Previous episodes on helping someone during grief that you can listen

[07:15] Golden takeaways from the episode

[08:29] Ending show and calls to action

• As we all want to help our friends undergoing hospice care with their loved ones, it is good to do that in a way that leaves a lasting, happy impression on someone’s life. [05:37]

Forgrief.com

https://www.lovealwaysproject.org/

Marie's Contact:

[email protected]

www.hospiceexplained.com

http://buymeacoffee.com/hospice

[email protected]

Leave a Voicemail: 206-705-3080

Hospice care is a compassionate and essential service that aims to improve the quality of life for patients with terminal illnesses. Contrary to misconceptions, hospice does not hasten death; rather, it focuses on providing comfort and support during the natural progression of the illness. This form of specialized care not only helps individuals live longer but also enhances their overall well-being. Hospice care offers a range of services tailored to each patient's unique needs, including pain management, emotional support, and spiritual guidance. It differs from home health care in that it concentrates on alleviating symptoms and enhancing the patient's end-of-life experience rather than curative treatments.

Those who give hospice a try, often find solace and comfort in this new routine. The hospice team is available 24/7, making it reliable and different from home health care. This accessibility means that patients can avoid unnecessary visits to the emergency room by contacting hospice for immediate assistance, which is truly a game changer. Choosing hospice care allows patients and their families to make the most of their precious time together, finding comfort and support during a challenging phase of life.

Join the conversation with Nurse Hadley as she shares her stories and life lessons from the perspective of being a Hospice nurse, momma, wife, and author of a New York Times best-selling book -The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments. Nurse Hadley is a Passionate advocate for end-of-life care and a TikTok star who shares moving stories of joy, wisdom, and redemption from her patients’ final moments.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Episode;

[00:30] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest; Nurse Hadley

[01:43] Nurse Hadley’s backstory and how she started out in hospice education

[03:14] What Nurse Hadley does on Instagram and TikTok

[04:35] Nurse Hadley’s book project, The In Between, and her goals

[05:41] A story in Nurse Hadley's book that describes the most difficult patient death for her

[06:56] Something important that you should know about Hospice

[08:22] What Nurse Hadley recommends patients focus on when on hospice service

[11:30] A question Nurse Hadley often gets from patients on Instagram and TikTok

[12:53] The time Nurse Hadley spends touching base with people to give them comfort

[14:08] Why hospice and whatever it does, does not kill patients; it’s the illness

[16:41] Hospice comfort care and how it helps people live longer

[18:27] The difference between home health care and hospice care

[19:23] What inspired Nurse Hadley to get into hospice care space

[22:07] How to get Nurse Hadley's book and about her Nonprofit hospice house goals

[24:33] How to reach out and connect with Nurse Hadley

[24:54] Wrap-up and end of the show

● Give hospice a try; 90% of people do that, and they get comfortable in their new routine with hospice, and they wouldn’t have had that comfort if they hadn’t given it a trial. [07:31]

● You should always read the directions on the label of the medicine bottles and the written directions given in an after-visit summary; there are multiple medicines in comfort care; read and follow directions, and if you have any questions, call the hospice care team, that what they are there for.”. [16:11]

● The aids that hospice provides and the 24-7 availability makes it different from home health care; whenever you don’t have to go to the ER because you can call hospice, that is a game changer. [18:40]

Nurse Hudley Book: https://www.amazon.com/Between-Unforgettable-Encounters-During-Moments/dp/059349993X

Get more information about Nurse Hudley Non-Profit Hospice House: https://www.instagram.com/p/CKKKYKLjWIW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&hl=en

Let’s Connect

Nurse Hudley

Website: https://nursehadley.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurse.hadley/?hl=en

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/NurseHadley/?_rdc=1&_rdr

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NurseHadley

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursehadley?source=h5_m

The end of life is marked by various symptoms that might not always be immediately recognizable, and there often comes a phase where a person's health begins to decline from its usual state. Being able to discern the signs of impending natural death can be crucial for both the individual and their loved ones. It provides an opportunity to prepare and make necessary arrangements. From handling paperwork and bills to completing an end-of-life advanced directive form and other essential documents, there are several practical tasks that need attention. Additionally, decisions regarding burial versus cremation, choosing suitable burial ideas and memorial options, and discussions on caregiving play a significant role during this delicate season. Engaging in open and compassionate conversations with your loved ones about these matters can help you navigate the end-of-life journey with greater understanding and acceptance.

Join the conversation with your host, Marie Betcher, as she discusses a study by JAMA Network Open on Death and End-of-Life Care in Emergency Departments in the US to help increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of the end of life to avoid emergencies. By understanding these indicators, we can take proactive steps to prevent emergency situations and ensure more compassionate and appropriate end-of-life care.

Tune in!

Key Highlights from the Episode;

[00:30] Intro and what in for you in today’s show

[01:47] JAMA Network study and results and Marie's goal for the discussion

[03:14] Multiple chronic conditions and what they are

[04:44] Signs and symptoms of decline in the end-of-life season

[06:54] Having conversations and making preparations for the end-of-life care

[08:37] Recognizing when your loved one needs end-of-life care and focusing on comfort

[10:07] When CPR is appropriate and most difficult for patients

[13:33] Making the best choices early and getting the right care team in place

[14:23] How end-of-life care help in processing grief more positively

[15:56] Wrap-up and end of the show

● The end-of-life has many symptoms that we don’t always recognize, but like pregnancy and birth, there is often a season where there is a decline in a person’s normal state of health. [01:35]

● When multiple disease processes are in place for yourself or a loved one, and there are signs of decline, it may be the end-of-life season. [04:31]

● The dying process may begin a year or several years before someone's death. [05:52]

● The hardest truth is that every single one of us will die, so it’s very helpful to have made preparations ahead of that time. [07:28]

● Each of us needs to be responsible for our own follow-up care, so you might be the one to bring up the hard questions. [15:26]

Reference article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2798153

Let’s Connect

Marie's Contact: [email protected] www.hospiceexplained.com http://buymeacoffee.com/hospice [email protected] Leave a Voicemail: 206-705-3080