Podcasts about palliative care association

This show is dedicated in memory of Tali Sutton, who unexpectedly died the week of February 3rd.  Tali was an upcoming leader in hospice and palliative care in New York State as CEO of CareFirstNY.In this episode of TCNtalks, Chris Comeaux speaks with Jeanne Chirico, the President and CEO of Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State (HPCANYS), about the unique challenges and opportunities facing hospice care in New York State.  Many of us think of New York City when we think of New York yet the entire state with New York State is a picture of many of the challenges we will face in healthcare for the country as a whole in the future.Chris and Jeanne started the show remembering Tali Sutton, who unexpectedly died the week of February 3rd.  Tali was an upcoming leader in hospice and palliative care in New York State as CEO of CareFirstNY. Jeanne shares her extensive background in hospice and palliative care, highlighting the complexities of providing care in a state with diverse cultural and economic landscapes.  The conversation delves into regulatory challenges, workforce issues, and the importance of advocacy in ensuring quality end-of-life care.  Jeanne emphasizes the need for innovative service lines and the role of technology in adapting to changing customer demographics.  The episode concludes with a call to action for hospice leaders to engage in advocacy and community partnerships to navigate the future of healthcare effectively and to do that at a grass roots level.This episode is a great summary of the challenges facing all hospice and palliative care programs.  This is a great listen for staff, leaders, and Board's of hospice and palliative care organizations.  Join us, this is timely and relevant.Guest:  Jeanne Chirico, , HPCANYS President/CEOHost:  Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TCN/TCGhttps://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast/the-challenges-ahead-with-jeanne-chiricoTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Embark on a heartfelt conversation as host Saankhya interviews Sheila Clark, President and CEO, California Hospice and Palliative Care Association. This special episode provides profound insights into the world of compassionate healthcare leadership. Explore the challenges, triumphs, and advancements in palliative care, showcasing the dedication and expertise of Sheila Clark. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that goes beyond boundaries. Host : Saankhya Guest : Sheila Clark, President and CEO, California Hospice and Palliative Care Association calhospice.org #TALRadioEnglish #HelpingHearts #HospiceCare #SheilaClark #Saankhya #touchalife #talradio #TALPodcast

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!

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!

Host Ankur Patel, MD, MBA, FAAFP, Chief Medical Officer, Tabula Rasa HealthCare, interviews Dr. Samira Beckwith. Dr. Beckwith has served as President and CEO of Hope Healthcare in southwest Florida for more than 30 years. Within the state of Florida, she served on the Transition Advisory Committee on Health and Wellness, the Florida Center for Nursing Board of Directors, and the Long-Term Care Advisory Committee. Dr. Beckwith has also served on the White House Conference on Aging, and on the boards of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the National Hospice Foundation. She is the Founding President of the Florida PACE Providers Association and a Founding Director of the National Partnership for Hospice Innovation, as well as past president of the Florida Hospice and Palliative Care Association. 

Guest: Dr. Margie Venter | Secretary of the Palliative Care Association of South Africa See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Nina Impala, certified by the American Academy of Bereavement, combines intuition with professional education in the End-of-Life Field, including 10 years in hospice. She is a graduate of Mueller College of Holistic Studies and was a licensed massage therapist for more than 17 years, also incorporating Reiki. Nina's book Dearly Departed, What I Learned About Living From the Dying, was inspired by 10 years of volunteering for hospice. She's a member of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce and has won awards for her writings with The National Hospice and Palliative Care Association. Nina previously hosted the podcast Tutoring for the Spirit and will join the Voiceamerica network in May 2020 with Inspiring End of Life Conversations. She'll be interviewing Near Death Experiencers, hospice professionals, Pet psychics that assist after your furry family members pass away and those who have survived cancer and what they have learned in life from it.

Nina Impala, certified by the American Academy of Bereavement, combines intuition with professional education in the End-of-Life Field, including 10 years in hospice. She is a graduate of Mueller College of Holistic Studies and was a licensed massage therapist for more than 17 years, also incorporating Reiki. Nina's book Dearly Departed, What I Learned About Living From the Dying, was inspired by 10 years of volunteering for hospice. She's a member of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce and has won awards for her writings with The National Hospice and Palliative Care Association. Nina previously hosted the podcast Tutoring for the Spirit and will join the Voiceamerica network in May 2020 with Inspiring End of Life Conversations. She'll be interviewing Near Death Experiencers, hospice professionals, Pet psychics that assist after your furry family members pass away and those who have survived cancer and what they have learned in life from it.

Welcome to the Executive Innovation Show Podcast, brought to you by One Touch Telehealth.During this podcast hear host, Carrie Chitsey, talk with Carla Braveman and Dr. Sheryl Neelankavil. Carla Braveman is the CEO of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State.Dr. Sheryl Neelankavil is a surgeon by training and is currently the CEO of United Apollo International Inc. She is also the President of Blue Horizons Hospice Austin, the first smart hospice incorporating telehealth communication. Listen to “Will Hospice Need to Innovate with the Silver Tsunami?” as we discuss: Carrie sets the stage of the podcast. For Baby Boomers, the change of culture, cost of facility-based long term care, and technology adoption has created a huge increase in seniors wanting to age at home. How will facility-based vs aging at home take shape in the future? Listen as Carla Bravemen talks about what she sees within the hospice community of New York. Dr. Neelankavil details what sees coming in the future for caregivers. Hear what she believes will happen with more Baby Boomers at home being looked after by their family. What are some of the roadblocks and hurdles of the silver tsunami? How can telehealth, RPM and caregiver support help with these roadblocks?Dr. Neelankavil details the innovative ways Blue Horizons Hospice is using technology to check on their patients, reminding them to take their medications and connect in-home with video telehealth through Alexia. How do social determinants come into play when looking at support options for aging at home?Will Baby Boomers look to more communal home living situations in the future? What are other innovative ways health systems are looking at how Baby Boomers live?How should healthcare executives be looking at telehealth from an operational efficiency standpoint? Hear Carla talk through these categories of savings and reducing anxiety for caregivers. Beyond operational efficiencies, how does telehealth help the patient? Listen as Carla Bravemen and Dr. Sheryl Neelankavil recall their experience with telehealth and how it helped to improve patient satisfaction. Can telehealth improve your CAHPS scores? Is telehealth a retention tool in the employer's toolbox to give workers such as nurses, caseworkers, and physicians work/life balance. Is there a stigma around older hospice nurses and their ability to use technology? Carla Braveman explains why that is a myth and how not to count our hospice nurses when using technology, telehealth, smart devices, and mobile apps to handle day to day tasks with palliative care. What is the future of hospice and telehealth for caregivers? What opportunities lie ahead for third-party vendors connected to the hospice industry such as pastors, funeral homes, medical device companies and more? What’s keeping Carla Braveman up at night? Hear her answers here. Carla Braveman will continue to bring change as the CEO of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York State. Stay in the know here. How will Blue Horizons Hospice Austin continue to innovate? Keep up with their journey and Dr. Neelankavil. Want to learn more about innovations in hospice care? Click here to understand more on the benefits of telehealth for hospice and in-home healthcare from One Touch Telehealth. Support the show (http://www.helpinghumans.care)

Vernon Oakes, host of Everything Co-op interviews Roberta MacDonald, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Cabot Creamery Cooperative. Vernon and Roberta discuss the 2019 Cooperative Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony, the ABC's of Cooperatives, and much, much, more! Roberta thrives on her 40 years of marketing experience. She and her much beloved fellow Farmer Champions throughout Cabot Creamery Co-op have spent the last thirty helping a nearly bankrupt, small farm family owned dairy cooperative become a national player. Thanks to award-winning cheese and indelible, award-winning, and occasionally, over-the-top trial campaigns. Roberta previously served as Vermont's first Marketing Director, a position created for her by Governor Kunin in 1984. Over her career, Roberta has accepted many awards on behalf of the Cabot farmers for design, promotions, and high-impact public relations programs, including the Tal Haussig Award - the highest individual award given by B Corps. Prior to moving to Vermont, Roberta served as staff or provided services to the San Francisco Opera, the Ford Foundation, American Express, NYU, CBS, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Roberta currently serves on the End of Life Council for the National Hospice & Palliative Care Association a culmination of over a decade volunteering for hospice in Burlington, Vermont. Recently, Roberta started an informal Above Ground Railroad for select women released from prison with no family or resources in order to reunite them with their children. The first recipient made it to TN last week with a phone, cash, clothes, and presents. She was vetted by Roberta's niece who is serving 25 to life at Chittenden Correctional.

Subadhra Devi Rai started her nursing career in a busy intensive care unit of a hospital in Singapore. She has also dedicated her life to working with those in desperate need in countries where her skills are in short supply, including Thailand, Nigeria and Laos. Subadhra, who's now a senior lecturer in health studies, recently won the Florence Nightingale International Foundation's International Achievement Award. Rose Kiwanuka isn't saving lives but helping patients as they die, she was Uganda's first palliative care nurse in the early 1990s. Rose, who is the national coordinator of the Palliative Care Association, has the momentous task of making patients and their families, in urban and rural communities, as comfortable as possible about death. (L) Rose Kiwanuka, Palliative Care Nurse, Uganda. Picture Credit: Alan Hofmanis (R) Subadhra Devi Rai, Nurse, Singapore. Picture credit: Nanyang Polytechnic

Hospice and End of Life Resources for Palliative Care   Welcome Medicare Nation!  Today we continue with Part 2 of our Death Series, as we talk about end of life resources that Hospice provides.  Most people are familiar with Hospice and the services they provide, but I wanted us to take a closer look at Hospice as it relates to Medicare.  Hospice provides several different levels of care, but the focus of our conversation today is routine care and respite care.   My guest for today is Judy Lund Person. Judy is with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Association.  She has worked in the national office since 2002 and is considered an expert in Compliance and Regulatory Leadership for Palliative Care.      We discuss some very important aspects of Hospice care and Medicare, so for more details on each of these questions below, please listen to the full episode here.     Who qualifies for Hospice services?   Hospice is for patients who have a life expectancy of 6 months or less. Hospice is covered under Part A of Medicare.  The key is that the person would be nearing the end of their life, regardless of their age.  In Judy’s experience, she has seen patients from 2 days old to 100 years old.     Routine Care:   When should hospice be called in?   Many families feel that hospice should have been called in sooner.  Judy encourages you to have a conversation with the physician and begin asking when hospice services should begin.  Many times they see patients in the 3-6 months prior to their end of life.     Where can hospice provide care?   95% of the care they provide is in a patient’s home, or where they call home.  Hospice does have facilities, but the majority of their patients are in their own homes.   What kinds of services are provided?   Nurse - initial assessment is done Social Worker Chaplain Aide Therapy including art or other Hospice Physician who consults with the attending Physician Patient chooses who they want to be their attending physician, and do as much or as little as the patient wants.   It is very much a team approach to providing services.     How does Medicare work with Hospice?   Medicare covers hospice at 100% under Part A. Medications may need to be paid for out of pocket if hospice doesn’t feel a medication is necessary.  Hospice benefits are paid on a daily rate, so it does not matter the amount of services that are provided on a single day, because the rate is the same.   The Hospice team provides intermittent visits, depending on the need. Each patient has an individual care plan.   Medicare pays for two 90 day periods and then there is an extension of 30 days.  Physicians can re-certify the patient for coverage to continue.  Many patients have hospice for much longer, depending on their need.  Length of coverage is on a case by case basis.  If you are beyond the score of time set forth, all that needs to be done is for your Physician to re-certify that Hospice service is still needed and it will continue to be provided.  There is no need to worry that you will be cut off from services if you outlive the timeframes set forth in the coverage plan.     Respite Care   What is respite care?   If you have a short term period where you as a care provider need a break, hospice will provide respite care in a facility, while the family and caregivers get a break.  This service is covered under Medicare Part A.  This is different than routine care, but it is still a covered level of care.       Hospice care is considered palliative care, for the comfort of the patient, not to provide a cure for the disease.   Palliative care is comfort care.  Maybe it is pain, shortness of breath or other conditions that are difficult to tolerate.  Hospice specializes in pain management and pain control, while still keeping the patient alert.  They also deal with anxiety and depression that can go along with the terminal condition.   Hospice can help with any sort of distressing symptoms.  However, if another issue arises that is unrelated to the hospice issue, the hospice nurse and the care team will consult and determine who can provide treatment and care.   In the last year hospice saw 1.6 million patients.  You do not have to have a reimbursement resource to get Hospice care.  Most insurance covers hospice care, and if you don’t have coverage, you can still get Hospice care that is un-reimbursed.   Lauren Hill at 19 years old, was a great example of hospice care.  She received hospice services, even though all she wanted to do was play basketball with her college.  So, she was able to play one basketball game, and be an inspiration for her team, her family and everyone that heard her story.  She was able to raise more than 1 million dollars for cancer research because she used this battle as a way to help the cause.   Where can you find out more about hospice?   www.caringinfo.org has lots of information about hospice, terminal illness and support for families.   You can find inspirational stories at www.momentsoflife.org.  Lauren’s story is here and many others that will inspire you.  You can also memorialize your loved one and their struggle on this website.   Call 1-800-658-8898 if you need information and want to talk to someone in person.  This is a toll free number from anywhere in the US.     Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review in iTunes! (Click here)       Find out more information about Medicare on Diane Daniel’s website!   www.CallSamm.com