In honor of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month – and National Family Caregivers Month – we’re featuring a special 4-part series with special guest Barbara Karnes, Hospice Nurse and End of Life Educator.  In the first episode of the series, Barbara shares how she got started in end of life care back before the Medicare hospice benefit was established in the 1980’s.

Here are some highlights of this special episode:

• Barbara thinks she should have been a social worker but her mother talked her into Nursing.
• She and her fellow hospice nurses learned how to provide their own self care without really knowing what it was.
• Barbara’s aversion to causing patients any pain or suffering made patient care difficult for her.
• She believes it’s important for hospice leadership to truly understand end of life work, and to have a comprehensive knowledge of hospice care.
• Barbara believes sacred rituals and beautiful memories can be created at the time of death.  

Connect with Barbara Karnes:

Website: bkbooks.com

Blog:  bkbooks.com

Shop her products:  bkbooks.com

Socials:    Facebook     Instagram     LinkedIn     Twitter     Pinterest     YouTube

Email: barbara@bkbooks.com

Thank you to our series sponsor The Death Deck!  

Connect with the End of Life Deck and the Death Deck:

Website:  thedeathdeck.comhttps://thedeathdeck.com/

Shop:  End of Life Deck   Death Deck

Socials for the Death Deck:  Facebook   IG   Twitter (X)

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you.  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.  

Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer

Website:  theheartofhospice.com

Email:  helen@theheartofhospice.com

More podcast episodes:  The Heart of Hospice Podcast

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Helen Bauer Helen Bauer, BSN RN CHPN

Helen Bauer has worked in hospice care as a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Registered Nurse for almost 15 years. Helen’s passion for quality end-of-life care can be heard on The Heart of Hospice podcast leading discussions on death and dying, hospice care and philosophy, advance care planning, and grief. As owner of Hospice Navigation Services, she provides education and support for anyone needing information about hospice and end-of-life care.