Ending Life Well. A podcast series for carers

Writing a biography is one way of celebrating a life that can bring pleasure to both the person telling their story and to those who treasure the record they have to remember them by. This episode explains why this can mean so much and  offers tips on how to go about recording someone's story.There are also suggestions that might appeal for creating memory bears, cushions, or other memory gifts. A guide for planning your biography is available on the Otago Community Hospice Website Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

When we are caring for another person we often need to help them move around. This episode offers some advice on some of the things you can do to protect yourself while helping them to move between furniture, or in a bed, safely. Please also follow this link to watch videos on assisting someone, and also on giving someone a bath or hair wash in bed. https://www.youtube.com/@otagocommunityhospice817/videos  Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

We often find when someone is dying they or their family struggle to talk about it. People may be reluctant to start a conversation or they may want to talk but just don't know how. This interview with Dr Kathryn Mannix shares some stories from her own experiences and offers ways to initiate a conversation, or perhaps a way to be comfortable with letting that conversation go.  Dr. Kathryn Mannix is a palliative care physician from the UK dedicated to supporting public understanding and discussion of dying. Kathryn is also the author of two books - 'With the End in Mind' and 'Listen, How to Find the Words for Tender Conversations'. This is an extended length episode Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

When someone we care for moves into aged care it can have an impact on us as well as the person moving in. This episode identifies some of the ways this can surface, and tips for dealing with the challenges ahead. Featuring Sally Fleming, a Nurse Practitioner specialising in palliative care in an aged care setting.  Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

Having to transition into aged care is a challenge many of us will face. We explore very practical tips and ideas to make this transition easier.Featuring Sally Fleming, a Nurse Practitioner specialising in palliative care in an aged care setting. Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

Teenagers and young adults might already find life complicated, so adding in loss and grief can be especially challenging. Maintaining relationships is a key starting point to supporting them through this time.   Featuring Paul McOnie, a counsellor at Cranford Hospice who has experience working with children and adolescents through grief and loss. Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

We often want to protect children from grief, but this is not always possible, or desirable. Children need to be supported to process their grief in an age appropriate way. We share some suggestions for how to best meet the needs of your child. Featuring Paul McCone, a counsellor at Cranford Hospice who has experience working with children and adolescents through grief and loss. Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

Relationships and Intimacy at the End of LifeRelationships can be challenging at the best of time. So when a loved one gets a terminal diagnosis, it’s a tough time for many. The power of touch, connection and intimacy during this journey can be significant to both carer and patient. We shares some ideas to help you sustain your relationship. Featuring Clare Greensmith, a registered psychotherapist with a working interest in relationships and intimacy at the end of life. Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

This relaxation and visualisation recording can help with feelings of anxiety or a busy mind. It is also particularly useful for those dealing with COPD.It uses imagery to create a positive experience in your mind and body. It can be listened to whenever is most convenient for you, however a good time is just before bed, or before something you expect to be challenging.We recommend listening to this a couple of times a day to begin with to help reduce existing background levels of stress.  Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

This six minute recording can help with feelings of anxiety or a busy mind.It can be listened to whenever is most convenient for you, however a good time is just before bed, or before something you expect to be challenging.Once you have become familiar with the recording you can start to practice the technique on your own so you can draw on it, even when you don’t have the recording handy.Additionally this is particularly useful for those dealing with COPD Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

What you need to know about Wills and Enduring Powers of Attorney, in New ZealandAn interview with Jenny Guthrie, a senior partner at Wilkinson Rogers Law. Jenny has also been involved with the board of Otago Hospice for the last 25 year. Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

Making some choices in advance is crucial, and can help your patient as well. Don’t leave this planning to the last minute, we’ve got lots of tips on how a funeral can be run.An interview with Clark Campbell, a fourth generation funeral director. Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

There are plenty of myths around about Hospice and use of Morphine – but this episode explodes those myths, and details how meds work at the end of life.An interview with Dr Chris Hopkins, a palliative care doctor at Otago Community Hospice.  Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

Your world has turned topsy turvy. This episode provides are some key actions to help you stay the right way up. An interview with Stefan Petersohn, a counsellor who works alongside both young people and with those dealing with grief.  Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

Often patients will experience breathlessness; we give you tips and techniques for dealing with breathlessness, so you are prepared.An interview with Christina Bowen, an Occupational Therapist and Palliative Care Coordinator with a wealth of experience in managing breathlessness.   Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

These days of caring for someone you love who is dying will be hard. But it is important to ensure you find some meaning in your day-to-day actions.An interview with Noeleen Christey, a spiritual care coordinator in palliative care, with a background of a Bachelors of theology.  Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

Grief has so many different forms of expression; it’s not always about crying. Learn to recognise how your and others grief is conveyed.An interview with Shireen Tresslor, a counsellor with a health psychology background and a long term interest in grief and loss, especially around chronic or terminal disease.  Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

Every decision you make in advance will help make everything easier later. This episode is a must listen for carer’s and family members.An interview with Glenda Hall,  a senior palliative care nurse and educator with a long-term interest in advanced care planning.  Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

What does dying look like? And what do I need to do at the time of death?An interview with Louisa Ingham, a Nurse Practitioner in palliative care.  Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.

You need to ensure that you rest, relax and sleep – we provide some ideas about how to fit this into your carer’s schedule, without letting your patient down.An interview with Christine Pacey, an occupational therapist and palliative care team leader in Central Otago.  Written resources to support this podcast can be found here Find out more about Otago Community Hospice via our website, facebook or instagram Email us: endinglifewell@otagohospice.co.nz We would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback and suggestions for future topics.