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Meet RN Keisha Jones and Dr. Michelle Owens of Hospice Austin and hear how they take extraordinary care of their hospice team with a debriefing program. .  After seeing signs of accelerated compassion and moral fatigue in their hospice clinical team in 2021, Keisha and Michelle realized there was more needed beyond pizza parties.  They put their heads together to create a debriefing program.  As director of the clinical team, Keisha saw that nurses and other clinicians were deeply involved with patients, and the grief of not having families with dying patients was severely  affecting the team.  A safe space to discuss what was happening was first priority.  Using a debriefing facilitator trainer manual from CAPC (Center to Advance Palliative Care) website, they started the program.  Using Zoom video conferencing and including all disciplines, the women make the debriefings accessible to all disciplines and all shifts.  The team felt heard and safe.  The responses were positive and encouraging.    If you’re interested in creating a debriefing program in your agency, you can access the debriefing facilitator trainer manual from CAPC here.    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 to 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.  

Hospice patients have the right to start and stop hospice care. Your hospice, your choices.  After a physician determines that a patient has a “terminal prognosis” - a six-month life expectancy, a patient can be admitted to hospice if the patient chooses to start, or “elect”, hospice. The patient might still refuse to start hospice.  There are numerous reasons why that might happen.  Feeling like hospice is giving up hope, waiting for test results, or wanting to pass a milestone anniversary or holiday are all reasons people delay starting hospice care.  Sometimes people have had a bad experience with hospice for a family member, and they’re concerned about receiving poor care.  It’s a legitimate fear; mistakes happen.  Sometimes hospice just isn’t a good fit.  After hospice care is started, it’s the patient’s right (or his decision-maker) to stop hospice.  It’s called a revocation.  Only the patient or decision-maker can revocate a patient.  That right lies with the patient and could happen for several reasons.  The patient might decide to resume treatment or wants to enroll in a study.  The right to choose when to stop and start hospice belongs to the patient.     Find the full listing of Patient Rights here: Patient Rights Document from the National Association of Home Care and Hospice 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 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/

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.    

Caregiving for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia holds its special challenges. Jennifer Fink of the Fading Memories Podcast is with us to share her caregiving experience.  Jennifer became the caregiver for her mom after the death of her dad.  Experiencing all the frustration and challenges, Jennifer looked for podcasts that could help.  After not finding what she needed, Jennifer launched the Fading Memories podcast.  The podcast content is designed to help anyone who is providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia.  According to the Fading Memories Podcast website, “Jennifer is the daughter, granddaughter & great-granddaughter of women who suffered from Alzheimer’s or other cognitive impairment. Looking for answers on how not to become the fourth generation with this problem while also seeking ways to connect better with her Mom has led her on this interesting journey with her new passion, podcasting”.  The website provides support through the podcast, articles, recipes, and resources.  You can connect with Jennifer at fadingmemoriespodcast.com and on her Facebook page.  Find the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.  Don’t miss this great resource for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers! 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 to 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. Find more information about hospice philosophy, end-of-life care, and self-care for both personal and professional caregivers here. 

A common myth about hospice is that patients and families don’t have any choices once hospice care starts, so we’re talking about all the rights patients really do have.  Don't miss this 5 part series! It’s vital that both consumers and providers of hospice care know what rights the patient (or the responsible decision-maker) has.  Those rights are real and every agency serving seriously ill patients should provide a list to their patients and caregivers. We’re highlighting some of the most important rights - the right to make a complaint, the right to choose a physician, the right to start and stop hospice care, and the right to choose what’s included in your own plan of care.  Hospice patients and their caregivers should feel empowered to manage the care they receive.  Listen to all the Patient Rights Series episodes to learn about these all-important rights! 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/ Connect with podcast host Jerry Fenter at jerry@theheartofhospice.com. Connect with podcast host Helen Bauer at helen@theheartofhospice.com.  

Who knew that TikTok videos about death and dying would gain 800,000 followers?  Hospice Nurse Julie is our guest, talking about why her hospice videos have gone viral, and what she finds meaningful about working in end-of-life care.   RN Julie McFadden started making the videos, never dreaming that four days later so many people would connect with her content.  As a hospice nurse, Julie has heard all the questions from patients and families dealing with serious illness.  Topics of her videos include the dying process, end of life medications, visioning, and what a natural death looks like.  The average age of a TikTok user is 16-24 years old, not the group you’d think would be interested in conversations about death. Julie believes that taking the mystery out of death and dying takes a lot of the fear out of the experience.   Connect with Hospice Nurse Julie at Hospice Nurse Julie's TikTok.   Read the Newsweek article about Hospice Nurse Julie here.  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/ Connect with podcast host Jerry Fenter at jerry@theheartofhospice.com. Connect with podcast host Helen Bauer at helen@theheartofhospice.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 to jerry@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to partner with you!

Bereavement care is part of hospice, but what exactly is it, who does it, and what should it look like?  Hospice agencies in the U.S. are required to offer bereavement services to families and loved ones of patients who die on hospice service.  For up to 13 months after the death, families receive support for their grief.  It can come in many different forms, depending on the individual needs of the family. The Bereavement Plan of Care is written according to how the family is coping with the death.  Hospice team members do a Bereavement Risk Assessment, factoring in situations and stressors that might elevate the level of grief.  Sometimes grief is complicated by poor coping skills, dysfunctional relationships, mental illness, or limited education.  Grief is also influenced by the age of the person because children and teens have different ways of dealing with grief.  There’s a wide variety of items that can be included in bereavement services, including phone calls, letters, resources or handouts, agency memorial services, grief support groups, and individual in-person bereavement visits.  Agencies have to provide bereavement care, but families or caregivers do not have to participate in it - it’s their choice.  Check out the bereavement services your agency offers! 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.    

How's your self-care these days? We're getting back to the basics of care of body, mind, and spirit. Maybe your self care got off track during the pandemic, but it’s always a good time to do a care inventory.  It’s important to ask yourself 5 things about your self care:  1) Is it affordable?  2) Is it sustainable?  3) Is it enjoyable?  4) Is it flexible?  5)  Is it actionable?  Here’s what we know about self care.  You have to like what you choose to do (enjoyable).  You might need to change it at a moment’s notice (flexible).  It needs to be something you can do for the long term (sustainable). Your activities must be within your budget (affordable).  Self-care activities have to be realistic for you, something you can actually do (actionable).    Start your self-care - get an accountability partner and get started taking care of your whole self.  Mind, body, and spirit, all of your Self matters!   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. 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 to 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. Find more information about hospice philosophy, end-of-life care, and self-care for both personal and professional caregivers here.     

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.           

We’re clearing up the confusion about using therapies (physical, speech, and occupational) for hospice patients.  It’s one of the confusing issues in hospice - whether therapy modalities can be used in end of life care.  The truth is that PT, ST, and OT can be utilized in hospice.  The goal of these therapies is not rehabilitation or long-term strengthening.  The real goal for each of these therapies is enhancing quality of life, focusing on education of the patient and caregivers, and teaching safe practices for patient care.  Physical therapists can teach safe transfer techniques, good body mechanics, turning and repositioning, and use of mobility assist devices.  Occupational therapists can help with fine motor issues, including education on techniques for managing Activities of Daily Living.  Speech therapists assist with education about communication systems, minimizing choking hazards, and preventing aspiration of foods and liquids. All of these interventions are about keeping the patient safe and enhancing quality of life.  In hospice, ST, OT, and PT are used very sparingly and only when the patient will benefit from visits from these disciplines.  If you’re a hospice professional, it’s important to know that your agency might need to provide a few therapy visits.  If you’re a caregiver for a hospice patient or a hospice patient, be sure to ask your interdisciplinary team if you think some therapy visits might be beneficial.   Register for your place at 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 Heart of Hospice cares about your hospice caregiving journey.  If you have a question about hospice philosophy and care, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com or jerry@theheartofhospice.com.  We’re here to help! 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!

Solo caregiving is a complicated job. Creating a caregiving village can make it easier. Over 54 million people across the U.S. are unpaid caregivers.  They might provide care for a spouse or partner, child, friend, or parent.  They might also be providing that care by themselves - a solo caregiver.  One person caring for another is often a full time job, especially if there’s a serious illness or terminal diagnosis. So many factors come into play: health issues of the caregiver, physical demands of the seriously ill person, financial demands, additional responsibilities or a full time paying job, around the clock duties,  isolation, or safety concerns.  Sometimes caregivers need to manage the care of more than one person.  Solo caregiving has both pros and cons.  As a solo caregiver, you become an expert in the patient, knowing routines, needs, history, and the details of care. Information is easier to manage, too, because it only flows to one person.  Being a solo caregiver can also provide great meaning and purpose.  While there are some positive qualities to solo caregiving, there are also drawbacks.  Caregiver burnout, information overload, and isolation can stress the caregiving situation.  There are ways to make it easier.  Creating a caregiving village can be a huge help.  Enlisting the assistance of friends, faith community members, and relatives and friends who are out of town and in-person can dilate the caregiving responsibilities.  Providing support if someone lives out of town - remote caregiving - can be helpful with tasks like ordering groceries or keeping the family group informed about current events or changes in the patient’s condition.  Dividing the duties reduces the burden on the primary caregiver.  You can check out devices or app that available for help with managing a caregiving village - Caregiven, the GrandPad, Caring Bridge,  physician patient portals, and CareStory.  Looking for a speaker for your event or conference?  Send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com or to jerry@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to partner with you! Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice here: https://theheartofhospice.libsyn.com/ Find more information about hospice philosophy, end of life care, and self care for both personal and professional caregivers here.  Send your questions and comments to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to hear from you! Don’t miss the amazing Thresholds Conference sponsored by Hospice of Southern Maine on Tues., May 10 1:00pm - 3:30pm EST featuring Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love.  All virtual over Zoom, and only $35! Get your tickets by clicking here. Connect with Hospice of Southern Maine at https://www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/. Register for your place at 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.

Humor and compassion overflow in our guest Benjamin Kintisch, hospice chaplain and director of Life Review: The Hospice Musical!  Working with hospice patients as a spiritual counselor inspired Benjamin to tell his patients’ stories in songs that captivate the audience.  Benjamin holds a Masters in Sacred Music and Cantorial degree, and has completed his fourth year of chaplaincy training, having served in both hospice and eldercare facilities. He serves in his community as a middle school chorus teacher. According to the Life Review: The Musical website, the show celebrates “life, love and loss through three seasons at a residential hospice”.  The stories evoke emotions and tears, relatable to any audience.  Find out about how you can see the musical virtually at lifereviewmusical.com/.  If you’re interested in partnering with Benjamin and the Life Review team to provide a virtually showing of the musical, contact them here. Learn about Life Review: The Hospice Musical at lifereviewmusical.com/. Contact creator Benjamin Kintisch by sending an email to benjaminkintisch@yahoo.com. Don’t miss the amazing Thresholds Conference sponsored by Hospice of Southern Maine on Tues., May 10 1:00pm - 3:30pm EST featuring Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love.  All virtual over Zoom, and only $35! Get your tickets by clicking here. Connect with Hospice of Southern Maine at https://www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/. Register for your place at 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. Looking for a speaker for your event or conference?  Send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com or to jerry@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to partner with you! Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice here: https://theheartofhospice.libsyn.com/ Find more information about hospice philosophy, end of life care, and self care for both personal and professional caregivers here.  Send your questions and comments to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to hear from you!  

Choosing hospice care can be a very difficult decision, whether it’s for yourself or someone you are about. It’s important to respect those choices.  Most people who decide to utilize hospice care have experienced a serious illness.  Sometimes there’s been a catastrophic health event that limits someone’s life expectancy.  It’s easy to judge someone else’s choices from an outsider perspective.  Even hospice and end of life professionals criticize the choice not to accept hospice care when the referral is made by the healthcare community.  It’s important to remember that we might not have all the information about a person’s illness or disease trajectory.  People usually do a lot of living before they arrive in a situation where hospice is appropriate.  Oftentimes there’s a desire to continue treatment to sustain hope, an unwillingness to let go of even the smallest chance of improvement.  The need to respect a person’s end of life wishes has to be stronger than guilt or grief.  So be supportive of someone’s decision to embrace hospice, or to delay it.  The decision is what the patient says it is.  Don’t miss the amazing Thresholds Conference sponsored by Hospice of Southern Maine on Tues., May 10 1:00pm - 3:30pm EST featuring Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love.  All virtual over Zoom, and only $35! Get your tickets by clicking here. Connect with Hospice of Southern Maine at https://www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/. Register for your place at 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. Looking for a speaker for your event or conference?  Send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com or to jerry@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to partner with you! Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice here: https://theheartofhospice.libsyn.com/ Find more information about hospice philosophy, end of life care, and self care for both personal and professional caregivers here.  Send your questions and comments to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to hear from you!

Words, terms, and acronyms - it’s important to know how to speak the language to get the best quality hospice you can.  When you’re in an unfamiliar situation, understanding the terms that are being used will help you to manage things better.  There’s a lot of stress when someone is experiencing a serious illness, starting hospice, or communicating with a hospice interdisciplinary team.  Professionals should use words that patients and caregivers understand, not leave them with more questions and increased anxiety. Listen to the whole episode for examples of the common terms you might hear in end of life care! Patients and their caregivers should ask questions, and repeat those questions as needed. It’s ok to ask for clarification.  Hospice providers should provide answers in a way that’s understandable, verbal and/or written.  Interdisciplinary team members should never become impatient or irritated when asked for additional information.  It’s important for those persons receiving care to know exactly what’s being discussed.  Knowing the meaning of hospice terms will help enhance the care experience. Don’t miss the amazing Thresholds Conference sponsored by Hospice of Southern Maine on Tues., May 10 1:00pm - 3:30pm EST featuring Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love.  All virtual over Zoom, and only $35! Get your tickets by clicking here. Connect with Hospice of Southern Maine at https://www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/. Register for your place at 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. Looking for a speaker for your event or conference?  Send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com or to jerry@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to partner with you! Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice here: https://theheartofhospice.libsyn.com/ Find more information about hospice philosophy, end of life care, and self care for both personal and professional caregivers here.  Send your questions and comments to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to hear from you!

In recognition of National Healthcare Decisions Day 2022, we’re talking about advance care planning.  What’s your plan for your healthcare and who have you told it to?  National Healthcare Decisions Day was started in 2008 by attorney Nathan Kottkamp to encourage people to complete their advance care planning. Every year on April 16 (the day after Tax Day), National Healthcare Decisions Day is observed.  It’s the perfect day to make your end of life plans.  Develop your plan - think about your beliefs, wishes, and wants for healthcare during a serious illness.  Document your plan - put your plan into the legal forms that are accepted in your state or province.  Discuss your plan - tell your healthcare provider team and your family or those who would help with your care.  Eliminate the chance that you’ll receive care you don’t want, care that won’t work, or care you can’t afford by making your wishes known.  Happy National Healthcare Decisions Day 2022!   Find more information about NHDD 2022 at The Conversation Project website. Use some of our favorite advance planning tools and games: The Conversation Project The Death Deck Go Wish cards from Code Alliance Hello game from Common Practice  Heart2Hearts: The Workbook from Discuss Directives with Lisa Newburger 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.  Looking for a speaker for your event or conference?  Send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com or to jerry@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to partner with you!  

Hospice nurse and author Pepper Cappuccio is talking with us about his book “Warm Water: The Last Act of Compassion”, and how he creates meaning for patients and their families in their last moments.  Carl “Pepper” Cappuccio has been a nurse for over 15 years, and a hospice nurse for 10 years.  According to his website peppercappuccio.com, “he became a registered nurse more than 15 years ago, however, it was not until he experienced the death of his own mother that he realized his true calling. Hospice nursing is what brings him joy and satisfaction.”  Due to his personal experience with his mom, Pepper is acutely aware of the challenges faced by the caregivers as they face the loss of a loved one. The author is instantly able to connect the similarities of each patient and family as it relates to his own life‘s experiences.  Creating a meaningful ritual of bathing patient’s bodies with warm water during post mortem care has enabled Pepper to honor the humanity of the people for whom he provides nursing care.  Just the simple act of a warm bath demonstrates compassion and a respect for the physical body.  Pepper’s book is a collection of his stories and experiences with the patients in his case, and the rituals he created at the time of their deaths.  “Warm Water” is a selection of stories to which all caregivers and hospice professionals can relate.   Read more about Pepper’s story at peppercappuccio.com. Buy “Warm Water: The Last Act of Compassion” by clicking here or here.  Looking for a speaker for your event or conference?  Send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com or to jerry@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to partner with you! Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice here: https://theheartofhospice.libsyn.com/ Find more information about hospice philosophy, end of life care, and self care for both personal and professional caregivers here.  Send your questions and comments to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to hear from you!

Using labels for people can be evidence of our implicit bias. Hospice providers can enhance the quality of care by avoiding labels.  If you have a brain, you have a bias.  It’s who we are as humans.  The key to treating our patients and their families with respect and compassion is to avoid labels that make them less than human.  Healthcare providers might not even realize the labels we give our patients are disrespectful or derogatory.  It’s possible to describe a patient’s condition or status without using a term that is demeaning.  It’s also possible to report behaviors using descriptive language.  Seriously ill patients and families deserve our respect.  Using labels removes that respect, and desensitizes our ability to have compassion.  Labels give us permission to treat people as less than who they are.  We don’t take care of patients - we take care of people.  So look at your own biases and see their influence on the care you provide.  Give your patients - your people - the best you have to give! Don’t miss the amazing Thresholds Conference sponsored by Hospice of Southern Maine on Tues., May 10 1:00pm - 3:30pm EST featuring Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love.  All virtual over Zoom, and only $35! Get your tickets by clicking here. Connect with Hospice of Southern Maine at https://www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/. Register for your place at 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. 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.  Looking for a speaker for your event or conference?  Send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com or to jerry@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to partner with you!

Daryl Cady, CEO of Hospice of Southern Maine is sharing details about the 2022 Thresholds Conference.   What an amazing opportunity to unite for conversations about end of life!  The conference features keynote speaker Elizabeth Gilbert, #1 New York Times best selling author of Eat, Pray, Love.  Additionally, the conference includes singer/songwriter Michelle Zauner, author of Crying in H Mart.  The theme for the 2022 Thresholds conference is “Grief is Individual and Universal”.  Both speakers have experienced their own losses, and will share the stories of their unique grief journeys.  Anyone who has experienced a loss can relate to the message of Thresholds.  The conference is virtual over Zoom, and tickets are only $35.  The conference is on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 1:00pm - 3:30pm EST. Buy your tickets thresholdshsm.org.  Don’t miss this chance to hear these great speakers!   Get your tickets for the virtual May 10 Thresholds conference featuring Elizabeth Gilbert and Michelle Zauner by clicking here. Connect with Hospice of Southern Maine at https://www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/. Interested in having one of the hosts of The Heart of Hospice podcast speak at your event? Send an email to helen@theheartofhospice or jerry@theheartofhospice.com.   Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice here: https://theheartofhospice.libsyn.com/ Find more information about hospice philosophy, end of life care, and self care for both personal and professional caregivers here.  Send your questions and comments to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to hear from you!

Today’s guest is a chaplain in the Buddhist tradition and author of “From Grief to Growth: 5 Essential Elements of Action to Give Grief A Purpose and Grow From Your Experience”. You’re going to love our conversation with Paula Stephens!!  Paula has a Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology and studied Buddhist Chaplaincy at  Upaya Institute and Zen Center. She’s a Certified Wellness Coach, Mindfulness Teacher, Clinical Hypnotherapist, a Yoga Instructor and a hospital chaplain in the Buddhist traditions.  She brings professionalism and compassion to her work by recognizing the importance of healing the whole person, mind/body/spirit.  After the loss of her son, Paula began searching for healthy ways to manage her grief.  She learned over time to utilize the wellness tools she had used for years, including running and yoga.  The lessons she learned were translated into her book “From Grief to Growth: 5 Essential Elements of Actions”.  She believes that grief never fully leaves us, so it’s important to build habits that will support a lifetime of grieving.  Paula has worked with 100’s of caregivers (just like you) and helped them go from struggling to find joy and purpose in their work and life to feeling a renewed sense of purpose for their work and looking forward to each day in as little as one month.  Her story is amazing and you’ll be blessed when you hear it.  Get your copy of Paula’s book “From Grief to Growth: 5 Essential Elements of Action to Give Grief A Purpose and Grow From Your Experience” by clicking here.   Connect with Paula Stephens and her work at paulastephens.net   Looking to hire Paula to speak at your event?  Click here.  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.  Send your questions and comments to host@theheartofhospice.com.  We’d love to hear from you!