The Heart of Hospice Podcast

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.  

Dr. Kaishauna Guidry is keeping it real when it comes to difficult conversations about hospice, dying, and death.  As the host of the Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare podcast, she’s teaching her listeners about challenging healthcare issues.  She’s a fierce advocate for quality care, and empowers others to get the best from their care.  She’s comfortable with the hard topics, discussing what people and caregivers need at end of life.  Her mobile medical service provides care for patients who may have been discharged from hospice but still need a medical provider wherever they call home.  Dr. G also provides consulting and mentoring for other physicians and organizations who need to improvise their physician documentation.  Her book Dr. G’s H.O.S.P.I.C.E. Guide:  7 things Hospice Physicians Need to Know to Be Ready for Work provides support for doctors working in end of life care.  She’s also the author of The Real Deal about Hospice: Short Stories Highlighting the Advantages of Hospice Care for Patients and Families.   Storyteller, advocate, mentor, and physician - Dr. G’s voice is strong and so necessary for today’s healthcare system.  Find out more about Mourning Dove Medical at mourningdovemedical.com.   Listen to the Dr. G at the Heart of Healthcare podcast here. Connect with Dr. G on social media. Facebook IG Twitter   LinkedIn Get your copy of Dr. Guidry’s books 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.        

Hospice physician Lauren Templeton knows the power of pausing, taking a moment to reflect on end of life wishes even when things are tense and chaotic.  Dr. Templeton is a fierce advocate and a strong voice for advance care planning, palliative care, and upstream discussions about end of life.  As a hospice medical director, Lauren walks alongside seriously ill patients and their caregivers.  She says she’s learned to appreciate the fullness of her own life from working in hospice.  Dr. Templeton will tell you a typical day in the life of a hospice doctor is unpredictable, involving both clinical and administrative responsibilities.  Troubleshooting symptom management with nurses, prescribing the appropriate medications, and documenting in the clinical record are some of the tasks included in the medical director job.  Lauren brings her heart to this work and finds meaning in the care of her patients.   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.  

Sending a message to someone we love on the wind using a Wind Phone is a beautiful way to express grief.  Amy Dawson knows the power of being able to express grief emotions.  She’s a Master Grief Coach and manages the My Wind Phone website. Amy didn’t originate the Wind Phone but she promotes the phones on her website.  The first Wind Phone was created in Japan by Itaru Sasaki, using a phone booth and a rotary phone.  The phones aren’t connected to any phone lines or modern wireless service.  The person using the Wind Phone can talk into the phone, expressing their grief over a loss.  It’s a dedicated space for grief, private, and secure.  Sasaki had created a way to continue communication after the death of a loved one. Amy knows about grief, having experienced the loss of her daughter Emily from a terminal illness just after the start of the pandemic.  Amy had read about Wind Phones, and felt drawn to the phones as a way of staying connected to Emily.  Connecting people with the phones, and seeing the comfort they provide, gives Amy joy.  Here’s what Amy writes about her story:  As of November 1, 2023, I have located and mapped over 165 Wind Phones, and new ones are added regularly. Exceptional, caring individuals inspired by Itaru have created and installed beautiful versions of a wind phone, sacred spaces for people to reflect and heal their grief. A place where those who grieve can continue and deepen their connection to the people they love on the other side. We often hear that when there is deep grief, there is great love; it is true. Creating this website and helping others ease their pain is where I choose to channel my grief. It is my way of making any sort of meaning from my beautiful daughter Emily dying. I believe it to be a calling that Emily guided me to, and I will live the rest of my life to make her proud. Read about Wind Phones and how they work at mywindphone.com.  Find a Wind Phone in your location here.  Have a Wind Phone?  Register the location of your phone here. Connect with Amy Dawson at hello@mywindphone.com.  Find My Wind Phone on Facebook and IG.  Visit internationaldoulalifemovement.com to learn more about doulas, or connect with others who are doing death doula work.   Register for IDLM’s FREE 2024 Birthday Bash Jan. 8 - 12, 2024 here.  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.  Get your set of Death Deck cards here!  Use the code HOSPICE20 for 20% off your order. Purchase the End of Life Deck for use with people with serious or terminal illness here.  Find The Death Deck on social media:     Facebook   Twitter (X)   Instagram 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.

Chaplain Wes Moldogo is an advocate for integrating spiritual care into the care of patients, service members, and their families.  As a chaplain for the military as well as hospital and hospice patients, Wes educates about the value chaplains bring to the care of people with life-limiting illnesses.  1 in 4 Medicare hospice patients is a US military veteran.  That’s 25% of the patients who utilize the Medicare benefit to pay for their hospice care.  Wes learned early how powerful listening can be, and how listening can be used to support people dealing with illness as well as their caregivers.   Wes educates about the differences between pastoral ministry and spiritual counseling (chaplaincy).  So many misconceptions surround the work of a chaplain, even inside the hospice industry itself.  Grief support, spiritual counseling, and bereavement support are all part of what a chaplain does.  Chaplains support the personal faith beliefs and spirituality of the patient and the caregiver, even if those beliefs are different from what the chaplain believes.  Chaplains can support any faith or spiritual belief system. Adequate education is vital to ensuring that chaplains are providing care that focuses on the patient’s beliefs, and not the chaplain’s beliefs.  Board certification and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) are critical to the success of a chaplain. If you’re interested in education in Chaplaincy, visit the Spiritual Care Association website or the Board of Chaplaincy Certification, Inc.   Visit internationaldoulalifemovement.com to learn more about doulas, or connect with others who are doing death doula work.   Register for IDLM’s FREE 2024 Birthday Bash Jan. 8 - 12, 2024 here.  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.  Get your set of Death Deck cards here! Use the code HOSPICE20 for 20% off your order! Purchase the End of Life Deck for use with people with serious or terminal illness here.  Find The Death Deck on social media:     Facebook   Twitter (X)   Instagram 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.      

Death Doula Jill McClennen helps clients transform their fear of death and dying while they work to live life fully, eventually dying with a feeling of closure. Whether it’s advance care plan conversations or supporting family members when a loved one is actively dying, death doulas provide expert guidance.   Jill McClennen is a certified death doula, a non-medical professional specially trained to provide holistic care for individuals in their final stages of life. She offers comprehensive support, preparation, and deep soul healing to her clients and their families, whether in person or through virtual sessions, as she works as a death doula and end-of-life coach. Jill's journey into the world of death doula work began when she moved back to New Jersey from California to care for her 90-year-old grandmother during her final days. Faced with the challenges of her grandmother's impending passing, she felt confused and overwhelmed. She didn't know what to expect, and the process was unfamiliar to her. Today, Jill assists families in similar situations, helping them navigate the end-of-life journey with compassion and understanding. In her virtual practice, Jill helps people prepare themselves and their loved ones for the end of life, offering guidance and emotional support, regardless of physical distance. In addition to her role as a death doula, Jill is a trauma-sensitive yoga instructor. She also incorporates reiki and shamanic healing techniques to help clients address their fears surrounding death, cope with the dying process, and navigate their grief. Jill is also the host of the "Seeing Death Clearly" podcast, available on all major podcast platforms. Through her podcast, she talks with guests and they share valuable insights and stories related to end-of-life matters, further extending her mission to promote understanding and compassion about this important stage of life. Check out the Seeing Death Clearly podcast on your favorite podcast platform or at endoflifeclarity.com.  Find all of Jill’s services at endoflifeclarity.com. Connect with Jill on social media:    Facebook Instagram Get your set of Death Deck cards here! Use the code HOSPICE20 for 20% off your order!  Purchase the End of Life Deck for use with people with serious or terminal illness here.  Find The Death Deck on social media:     Facebook   Twitter (X)   Instagram Visit internationaldoulalifemovement.com to learn more about doulas, or connect with others who are doing death doula work.   Register for IDLM’s FREE 2024 Birthday Bash Jan. 8 - 12, 2024 here.  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.  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.

Dignity Pajama designer Fran Goldberg used ingenuity to create pajamas for bedbound patients, and created meaning following the death of her parents.  As a clothing designer, Fran knows design and fabrics.  As a caregiver for both her parents at the end of their lives, she learned the importance of comfort, dignity, and convenience in pajamas.  The designs of Dignity Pajamas include features that protect the skin and preserve the modesty of the wearer.  When Fran saw a paid caregiver cut a t-shirt up the back for Fran’s mother to wear, she knew her mother would never choose something like that to wear.  Fran set out to design something that a woman would choose to wear.  Her designs feature beautiful fabrics and styles for women, and dignified designs for me.  Fran also incorporated practical design features to help caregivers provide care.  The pajamas help the wearer to feel proud of how they look and be comfortable around visitors.  Fran Goldberg has created a wonderful legacy as a caregiver with Dignity Pajamas.   Purchase Dignity Pajamas for someone you love at dignitypajamas.com.   Read about Fran’s story here. Check out Fran’s blog and resources here.       Read the beautiful story of hospice nurse Juli Boit’s work in a Kenyan hospice in her new book “Brave Love” at juliboit.com. All proceeds go to Living Room International, as they work to be a life-giving and transformative refuge for thousands of people all throughout Kenya.  Connect with Juli Boit and read more about her story at juliboit.com.   Get your set of Death Deck cards here! Use the code HOSPICE20 for 20% off your order! Purchase the End of Life Deck for use with people with serious or terminal illness here.  Connect with Death Deck co-creators Lisa Pahl and Lori Locicero at https://thedeathdeck.com/pages/about-us. Find The Death Deck on social media:     Facebook   Twitter (X)   Instagram 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.     

Bev Foster with Music Care by Room 217 is using beautiful music to create meaning at the end of life.  Using her skills as a musician, Bev founded Room 217 to teach clinicians and caregivers about integrating music into the care experience.   Here’s what Bev says about her own personal experience:  As a musician, the effects of what I do have always intrigued me. Using music in my personal caregiving experiences has compelled me to look farther and wider at its use in health care. My vision is that music care, in all its methods of delivery, be accessible to everyone. Room 217 teaches that there are simple things to do at the end of life, even if you’re not a musician or can’t sing.  Breathing in sync with someone who is at end of life can provide comfort and presence.  Even humming a single note can be effective.  It’s easy to adjust volume, rhythm, and pace.  There is great power in these simple actions.   Monitoring the response to the music is key.  Not every patient enjoys or is receptive to hearing any type of music, so it’s important to see he reacts.  Turning away or becoming agitated might indicate that the music is causing increased stress or stimulation.  Music interventions should always be customized to suit the individual’s needs. You can find all the resources and courses offered by Music Care by Room 217 at musiccare.org. Read Bev’s personal story and find her music at bevfoster.com. Check Music Care by Room 217 on social media: Facebook   Twitter (X)   LinkedIn   YouTube Learn about Music Care’s approach to using music as part of a caregiving experience here.  Get your set of Death Deck cards here! Use the code HOSPICE20 for 20% off your order! Purchase the End of Life Deck for use with people with serious or terminal illness here.  Connect with Death Deck co-creators Lisa Pahl and Lori Locicero at https://thedeathdeck.com/pages/about-us. Find The Death Deck on social media:     Facebook   Twitter (X)   Instagram 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 and other caregiving podcasts by clicking here.

Tara Jenkins, founder of Harmony in Dementia, is connecting patients and caregivers with meaningful music one song at a time.  As a Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC), Tara knows the power of music for reaching those patients dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia. She knows it takes a team of people to care for someone with dementia, working in harmony to provide quality of life.  That’s where the name of her company, Harmony in Dementia, comes in.  Tara trains volunteers and caregivers to utilize music in care, and reap those benefits for patients.  She teaches that music experiences aren’t universal for everyone, so being aware of the effects of music is very important. To get started with someone to provide music, Tara recommends asking the patient (person!) what they like.  Some people won’t be able to answer, so Tara teaches how to look at the person’s age, what music was popular during their younger years and what area they lived in.  A person’s music collection (if you’re caring for them in the home) might tell a lot about the music they enjoy.  Even seeing an album cover might connect with a memory.  Responses can range from tears to clapping or singing along.  It’s important that caregivers be aware of those responses.  Music provides choice and expression for those who are dealing with issues related to dementia.  Music therapists can help make sense of a patient’s response.  Find Harmony in Dementia at harmonyindementia.com. Check out the services that Harmony in Dementia offers here. Purchase a copy of Tara’s book Music, Memory, and Meaning: How to Effectively Use Music to Connect with Aging Loved Ones here. Partner with National HME to provide medical equipment for your patients at nationalhme.com. 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.  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.

An End of Life Doula is a great source of support for someone as they die,  and for families after the death has occurred.  Anna Adams, End of Life Doula and founder of International Doula Life Movement believes everyone should have a doula.  Through vigils, education, rituals, and compassionate presence, doulas help dispel the fear that can come during a death.  When someone is dying, an End of Life Doula can offer individualized support that’s a good fit for the patient and caregiver.  While the dying process can be very similar for most people, each person’s labor of dying is a unique set of processes and symptoms.  Doulas teach families and caregivers what to expect when someone is dying, and how to provide care to ease symptoms that might be distressing.  When a family or patient wants someone knowledgeable at the bedside, a doula might provide vigil care.  A vigil involves the doula being present and watchful while the death is occurring.  The doula’s role doesn’t stop there; there’s additional grief support after the death has occurred.   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.    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.         

End of Life Doulas are experts in managing advance care planning conversations.  EOL Doula Pam Carter of International Doula Life Movement knows how to get those discussions going.  As an EOL Doula, Pam works with people with serious illness and their families to determine their end of life wishes.  Choices are often made by weighing benefit vs burden.  That means considering questions like “What will I get out of this?  Is this what I want to do?”, “Is this something that contributes to my quality of life?”, or  “If I spend my time like this, what will it take from me?”, and “What will I have to give up for this (energy, time with family, peace, comfort, respiratory comfort, even money)?” Pam believes advance care planning should consider all aspects of how we live.  Further treatment for an existing illness should definitely be included.  Other things to talk about for your ACP is where you want to be cared for towards the end of your life, and who you’d like to take care of you.   Here are some other things that could be included in your Advance Care Plan: Having visits from a spiritual counselor (chaplain)  Including visitors or having privacy Returning to the hospital for accidents or injuries Treatment for infections How much information you want about your health status Who will be your healthcare decision maker (Medical Power of Attorney/Healthcare Proxy) Funeral/memorial service planning Tradition funeral care, embalming, green burial, or human composting Using medications that will cause drowsiness or avoiding sedation Body/organ donation (whole body donation, forensic anthropology donation) Back-up plan if body donation is disqualified Rituals or ceremonies  That’s only the beginning of the many things that can be part of an advance care plan.  Those ACP conversations should happen early and often.  It’s hard to imagine all the “what ifs”, but it’s valuable to talk about different scenarios that seem possible for your life or situation.   Having an end of life or death doula to facilitate those ACP discussions can help!  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.    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 and other caregiving podcasts by clicking here.    

Anna Adams, death doula and founder of International Doula Life Movement, is educating her community about how doulas support patients and families dealing with serious illness.  She’s been a volunteer, a CNA, and now she’s working with hospice agencies as a death doula.  Doulas bring a special set of skills to the care of hospice patients.  They support, educate, and guide patients (and caregivers) through the experiences at the end of life.  Doulas are also part of advance care planning conversations.   Exploring spiritual beliefs and rituals are part of doula work as well.  Doulas help those who are dying to identify what they believe and engage in those beliefs the way the patient wants.  In support of the family, doulas might also conduct rituals while someone is dying, or even after death.  Any support that’s provided is guided by the patient or family.  Doulas are flexible in how they provide care. 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.    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.                          

The Sisterhood of Care is using their superpowers to create a caregiving team.  Their podcast, Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver, is a safe space for anyone who has a role as a caregiver for someone they love.   The three sisters - JJ, Natalie, and Emilie - have created a caregiver village to support their mom, who lives with Parkinson’s disease.  The journey hasn’t been easy.  They’ve learned a lot about themselves, and how to bring their best skills to the care of their mom.  As caregivers, the women know the value of humor and offer each other grace.   Each sister has learned tough lessons about what it’s like to negotiate the healthcare system, advocate for a parent, and find appropriate housing for someone who’s dependent for daily care.  JJ, Natalie, and Emilie have a heart for service, and it shines through in their caregiving journey. You can connect with the Sisterhood of Care on their website confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com. Listen to the Confessions of a Reluctant Care podcast here. Read more about the Sisterhood’s story here. Join the Sisterhood of Care Advantage Club here.  The Sisterhood Advantage Club is the go-to place for savings and recommendations on products and services needed for your caregiving journey. The sisters have negotiated discounted rates to save you money and improve your quality of life. From oil changes to insurance, movie tickets to hotels, you’ll find everything you need and more! 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.                              

Amy Goyer knows a few things about caregiving.  Her journey as a family caregiver began early in her 20’s, caring for great-grandparents, and then each generation after.  She holds a bachelor's degree in music therapy and has held multiple positions of advocacy for older adults, children, and families. Amy is also a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).  Through the years she’s balanced caregiving responsibilities and roles with her personal and professional life.  Amy currently serves as AARP’s national Family and Caregiving Expert.   Amy learned lessons about caring for others and caring for herself at the same time.  Caregiving responsibilities prompted her to change jobs, use her own money to supplement her parents’ care and move closer to her family to facilitate their caregiving systems.  Amy’s sharing what she’s learned with unpaid family caregivers across the U.S. through her books, blog, and public speaking.    You can connect with Amy at www.amygoyer.com.    Join the AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group here.  Find Amy on LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Purchase Amy’s books Juggling Work, Life, and Caregiving and Things To Do Now That You’re… a Grandparent 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.

Dr. Sammy Winemaker is starting a social healthcare revolution with The Waiting Room Revolution podcast.  On The Waiting Room Revolution podcast, Sammy is having insightful conversations about palliative care, advance care planning, and change-making for end-of-life care with co-host Dr. Hsien Seow.  Sammy is an Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, in the Division of Palliative Care at McMaster University. She teaches palliative care to healthcare professionals.  Here’s what The Waiting Room Revolution website says about their mission:  They started the Waiting Room Revolution movement because they wanted to improve the patient and family illness experience. They want to build a community to share deeply human stories about caring for others. Through interviews with experts, clinicians, patients, and caregivers, they are harnessing the advice of those with lived experience to better prepare those who are just starting their caring journey. They cannot do it alone. Individuals, families, and communities have to be empowered as the catalyst for change. They believe we have so much to learn from one another.  As they say in The Waiting Room Revolution, Together, we can move from being “in the dark” to being “in the know. Connect with The Waiting Room Revolution with founders Dr. Sammy Winemaker and Dr. Hsien Seow at waitingroomrevolution.com. Listen to The Waiting Room Revolution podcast here. Pre-order your copy of Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest by Dr. Sammy Winemaker and Dr. Hsien Seow by clicking here.  Find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, or Indigo.    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.

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.  

Home funeral director Glenda Villegas guides families in creating meaning with home funerals.  After learning valuable lessons about what it’s like to plan a funeral for the unexpected loss of a loved one, Glenda started a career working in the funeral industry.  She first worked in pre-need cemetery sales, then moved on to family services where she learned how to serve families at death. During these years, Glenda learned the funeral industry inside and out.  She realized her path led to providing home funerals for families after a death. Her desire to serve families through education about laws related to death care, combined with the option of a home funeral experience, led her to become a licensed funeral director.  Today Glenda teaches families how to care for their dead, helping to facilitate the grief process by creating meaning with home funerals. Connect with Glenda Villegas and Thresholds Home and Family Directed Funerals at thresholdsfamilydirectedfunerals.com.   Contact Glenda: Ph.  (619) 719-1156 Email:  vglenda79@gmail.com 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 and other caregiving podcasts by clicking here.                  

The name Sociavi comes from the Latin word “share” and “unite”, demonstrating their mission of keeping seniors and their families closer together despite cognitive decline. Founder Paula Muller realized the need to keep her mother connected with all the activities of her family living internationally.  That need planted the seed for the Sociavi device.  Certified in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, Paula used her knowledge of cognitive decline to design the features of the Sociavi device.  She refers to it as a “picture frame”, avoiding a technology label that might be intimidating to users.   The Sociavi device fosters a feeling of accomplishment as well as keeping the user connected with family and friends.  Through simple games and activities, the user has choices that are customized to someone who needs simplicity.  It’s super easy to start using the device, no password or login required.  Paula ensured the Sociavi device responds easily to touch and accommodates for hearing loss.  The screens are clear, with only one activity displayed at one time.  Photos and video calls are a wonderful additional feature.  To place a video call, the user simply has to touch the photograph of whomever they want to call.   The network is private and encrypted, so spam and robo calls are eliminated.  Paula’s in-laws consider a video call a “visit” from a family member.   Users with cognitive decline can utilize many of the functions and games of the device.  If the user is nonverbal, Sociavi features a communication board with icons that can be utilized to communicate needs and thoughts. There are also alarms that serve as reminders for medications or tasks, keeping the administrator of the device notified of whether their loved one has turned the alarm off.  The only things needed in the home for the Sociavi device are power and internet connectivity.  Simple set up, simple to use, Sociavi is a great device for any adult with cognitive decline, helping them to stay active mentally and connected with loved ones. Find out more details about the Sociavi device at sociavi.com.   Read more about the Brain Fitness functions of Sociavi here. Purchase a Sociavi device for someone you love by clicking 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.   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.

Today’s guest is Sarah Turner, CEO and founder of My Modern Tribute.  They’re writing life tributes that provide opportunities to celebrate and honor a life while we’re still alive. Over the years, Sarah learned that we all have stories to share.  We’re all interconnected by a shared human story. Sarah believes that everyone deserves a space to express their feelings, and understands the importance of empathy and warmth. My Modern Tribute offers writing services for anyone looking to have a written tribute, featuring any information about their lives that clients want to share.  Achievements, impact, adventures, and experiences - a Tribute captures all the history of a life.   Partnering with My Modern Tribute is an easy process. Each My Modern Tribute client completes the Tribute Questionnaire. This consists of 10 questions to gather the nuts and bolts of your life.  My Modern Tribute will then assign you to a writer that best matches your personality and coordinate a date and time for your client interview. The assigned writer connects with you over Zoom or by phone for an interview. The first draft of your Tribute is emailed to you within 10 business days. Up to two edits are offered before the final draft is sent. The final draft is the client’s sole property to do with as you wish.   Clients can share a Tribute, keep it for themselves, or use it as a personalized eulogy during a funeral or memorial service.  It’s entirely up to the client to decide how to use it.   Through My Modern Tribute, Sarah harnessed her life experiences and her passion for people to create an invaluable service to clients while providing fulfilling work to professional writers.  My Modern Tribute is helping others explore their mortality.  Partner with My Modern Tribute to have your tribute writing at mymoderntribute.com. Looking for a copy of the Odonata Care Plan?  Click here to purchase it for yourself or your care agency.    Check out the free Care Video tutorials from Odonata founders and hospice nurses 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.