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In this fourth and final episode of our special series in partnership with Stanford Healthcare, our guest Susan Evans shares the ins and outs of Caregiving, and talks about her work to support other c…

In this fourth and f…

In this fourth and final episode of our special series in partnership with Stanford Healthcare, our guest Susan Evans shares the ins and outs of caregiving, and talks about her work to support other caregivers dealing with the challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease.  As a caregiver, Susan worked to ensure her dad was safe and well cared for.  She and her brother incorporated humor into their caregiving journey, and now she works to ensure other caregivers have the resources they need.  Here are a few highlights from our conversation:Susan knows the power of story sharing, and how caregive…

Dr. Jocelyn Jiao and Social Worker Mike Polisso of the Stanford Healthcare Palliative Team know the value of getting to know patients and families from the start of the care relationship. As part o…

Dr. Jocelyn Jiao and…

Dr. Jocelyn Jiao and Social Worker Mike Polisso of the Stanford Healthcare Palliative Team know the value of getting to know patients and families from the start of the care relationship. As part of an interdisciplinary team providing neuropalliative care for people and families living with serious neurological illnesses, they’re supporting patients and caregivers and training other healthcare workers in palliative care. Here are some topics discussed in this interview:Jocelyn discussed the importance of finding out communication preferences when it comes to early conversations about…

With courage and vulnerability, Sheralin Samuels shares her experience as a caregiver for her mom, and their journey through Early Onset Alzheimer’s disease. Here are a few highlights from this e…

With courage and vul…

With courage and vulnerability, Sheralin Samuels shares her experience as a caregiver for her mom, and their journey through Early Onset Alzheimer’s disease. Here are a few highlights from this episode, created in partnership with Stanford Health Care:Sheralin’s mom Carlys began showing symptoms in 2012, and a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease wasn’t found until about 10 years later. Carlys spent a year in hospice care before she was discharged. As a sandwich caregiver, Sheralin cares for her two kids while working a full time job and ensuring her mom’s needs are bein…

This episode is the first in a 4-part special series in partnership with Stanford Healthcare, sponsorsored by Kensington Senior Living.Grant Smith, M.D. and Emily Linderman, BCC from the Palliative …

This episode is the …

This episode is the first in a 4-part special series in partnership with Stanford Healthcare, sponsorsored by Kensington Senior Living.Grant Smith, M.D. and Emily Linderman, BCC from the Palliative Care team at Stanford Health Care are sharing all the basics of palliative care - when to start it, who can benefit from it, and what a PC team does for patients and caregivers.  Here are a few highlights from our conversation:Palliative care teams are transdisciplinary (consisting of workers with different skills, like physicians, social workers, nurses, and chaplains) and support quality o…

Social Worker Rosie Gaston brings energy and compassion to the care of people and families dealing with life-limiting illness.  As a passionate clinical social worker, she’s worked for over a decad…

Social Worker Rosie …

Social Worker Rosie Gaston brings energy and compassion to the care of people and families dealing with life-limiting illness.  As a passionate clinical social worker, she’s worked for over a decade supporting individuals, families, and professionals through the intricate journey of end-of-life care.  Rosie founded A Better Ending in 2022 to focus on personalized support, community education, and fostering professional development in the end-of-life care domain all while continuing to serve part-time as a hospice social worker. As Rosie says, “A life well lived deserves an ending that…

Dr. Robert Klitzman has learned the truth about the value of spiritual care through his professional practice and his own lived experience.  As an author, he’s written over 180 articles and books o…

Dr. Robert Klitzman …

Dr. Robert Klitzman has learned the truth about the value of spiritual care through his professional practice and his own lived experience.  As an author, he’s written over 180 articles and books on critical issues in bioethics regarding doctor-patient Relationships and communication, research, and other areas.  Robert realized the whole-person impacts of a traumatic grief event after the death of his sister in the Twin Tower attacks on 9-11.  Speaking with physician colleagues, Robert heard them voice erroneous beliefs about the support that chaplains provide.  His book Doctor, Will …

My guest Gabby Jimenez and I are busting the hospice myths to get to the truth about end of life care.  Because there are so many misconceptions about hospice care, many people don’t choose to have…

My guest Gabby Jimen…

My guest Gabby Jimenez and I are busting the hospice myths to get to the truth about end of life care.  Because there are so many misconceptions about hospice care, many people don’t choose to have care from a hospice team or they delay hospice care until very close to death.  It’s important to know the truth about all the aspects of hospice care - how medicines are managed, how morphine is really used for someone who’s dying, when to start hospice, and Do Not Resuscitate orders work.  Gabby Jimenez is a hospice nurse, end-of-life doula, death and dying educator, and author.  Her …

Dr. Fred Mirarchi is working to create personalized, specific advance care plans for patients, accommodating every stage of life and end of life wish.  After seeing clinicians in the hospital struggl…

Dr. Fred Mirarchi is…

Dr. Fred Mirarchi is working to create personalized, specific advance care plans for patients, accommodating every stage of life and end of life wish.  After seeing clinicians in the hospital struggle to determine exactly what patients’ wishes were, Fred realized documentation of advance directives didn’t truly communicate clearly.  He and the team at Mideo Health have developed a best-practice model for documenting health care directives.  Using a video format allows patients to customize their plan.  For older adults who might struggle with Technology, the team provides concierge …

Serene-Meshel Dillman’s documentary series Take Me Out Feet First captures the courage and compassion of people choosing Medical Aid in Dying.  In the six part series, Serene features the end of li…

Serene-Meshel Dillma…

Serene-Meshel Dillman’s documentary series Take Me Out Feet First captures the courage and compassion of people choosing Medical Aid in Dying.  In the six part series, Serene features the end of life journeys of people dealing with terminal illness, as well as both her own parents.  The struggles, grief, joy, and determination of those dying patients and their families shine through in the films.  Serene’s vision is to educate the public about the medical aid in dying process and advocate for state legislation that will allow the right to MAID equitably across the U.S. You can buy/re…

After being a caregiver for her parents and husband, Jennifer O’Brien is empowering caregivers so they come through it healthy physically, emotionally, financially, and mentally.  In her new book C…

After being a caregi…

After being a caregiver for her parents and husband, Jennifer O’Brien is empowering caregivers so they come through it healthy physically, emotionally, financially, and mentally.  In her new book Care Boss, Jennifer has designed strategies and resources to support caregivers.  Her 35+ years in healthcare leadership, partnered with all her years as an unpaid family caregiver, equipped her to write the guidebook that caregivers can use to navigate the care of their Person.  If you’re one of the over 54 million unpaid caregivers across the U.S., the advice that Care Boss offers is a gre…

In this second episode in a two part series featuring Dr. Harvey Chochinov, we’re talking about The Platinum Rule.  Providing care through the lens of the end of life provider doesn’t fully recog…

In this second episo…

In this second episode in a two part series featuring Dr. Harvey Chochinov, we’re talking about The Platinum Rule.  Providing care through the lens of the end of life provider doesn’t fully recognize the personhood of the patient.  Dr. Chochinov teaches us about The Platinum Rule -  treating others the way they want to be treated, instead of how we would want to be treated if the situation was ours.Connect with Dr. Harvey ChochinovWebsite:  dignityincare.ca    Virtualhospice.caSocial media:  Twitter: @HMChochinov     LinkedIn: Harvey Max ChochinovPurchase your copy of Dign…

Dr. Harvey Chochinov is teaching us how to go beyond providing healthcare to provide health-caring for the people we serve.  Patients are people before they need to engage with the healthcare system.…

Dr. Harvey Chochinov…

Dr. Harvey Chochinov is teaching us how to go beyond providing healthcare to provide health-caring for the people we serve.  Patients are people before they need to engage with the healthcare system.  That personhood should be supported and validated with compassion and dignity.  Dr. Chochinov has also led a large program of research on dignity within the healthcare setting, which includes the development and study of Dignity Therapy.  As a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba and a Senior Scientist at CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, Dr. Chochinov rem…

Death Doula Darnell Lamont Walker is listening to the dying and speaking up to advocate for their needs.  As a Death Doula who is also male and black, Darnell works to facilitate conversations about …

Death Doula Darnell …

Death Doula Darnell Lamont Walker is listening to the dying and speaking up to advocate for their needs.  As a Death Doula who is also male and black, Darnell works to facilitate conversations about death in the black community.  He’s a unique blend of skills and talents - an Emmy-nominated children’s writer, a documentary filmmaker, and a death doula. Darnell is a listener, a companion to people with serious illness.  He’s working to create change around our perceptions of grief, death discussions, and how we approach dying in the U.S.Connect with Darnell Lamont WalkerWebsite:…

As a nurse and End of Life Doula, Kacie Gikonyo cares for the dying while working to make a lasting impact on end-of-life support.  Kacie realized during the pandemic that she was called to work with…

As a nurse and End o…

As a nurse and End of Life Doula, Kacie Gikonyo cares for the dying while working to make a lasting impact on end-of-life support.  Kacie realized during the pandemic that she was called to work with the dying.  She trained with INELDA (the International End of Life Doula Association) to become an End of Life Doula.  Her special area of doula practice is with younger persons with a terminal illness, focusing on end of life conversations and Legacy projects.  Kacie believes in fostering collaboration over competition, nurturing a community-driven model through the Death Doula Collectiv…

Dr. Ira Byock believes hospice can heal its own dysfunction by holding providers and clinicians responsible for the care we provide and how we provide it. Physician Dr. Ira Byock is a voice for cha…

Dr. Ira Byock believ…

Dr. Ira Byock believes hospice can heal its own dysfunction by holding providers and clinicians responsible for the care we provide and how we provide it. Physician Dr. Ira Byock is a voice for change in the hospice industry, and an advocate for quality end of life care. His many years of experience in hospice medicine, coupled with the compassion he has for people dealing with serious illness, have made him an industry leader in the U.S. According to his website (irabyock.org), he is “Founder of the Institute for Human Caring at Providence St. Joseph Health. Dr. Byock is Active Professo…

As Editor-in-Chief of The Bucket, David Abend takes on the ultimate marketing challenge: rebranding death by showing how embracing mortality can lead to a more fulfilling life. The Bucket is an onlin…

As Editor-in-Chief o…

As Editor-in-Chief of The Bucket, David Abend takes on the ultimate marketing challenge: rebranding death by showing how embracing mortality can lead to a more fulfilling life. The Bucket is an online magazine that helps people make choices to reduce deathbed regrets (DBRs). With a background in creative direction and copywriting, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief David Abend has spent decades helping people see things differently. The Bucket offers a mix of podcasts, interviews, and articles that go beyond inspiration, providing actionable “how-to’s” for making meaningful life changes. As…

Licensed funeral director and End of Life Doula Christa Ovenell is busting myths about funerals, and sharing practical tips on how to plan a funeral service that reflects your values and needs.  As a…

Licensed funeral dir…

Licensed funeral director and End of Life Doula Christa Ovenell is busting myths about funerals, and sharing practical tips on how to plan a funeral service that reflects your values and needs.  As a community-based Death Educator, Christa is the founder of Death’s Apprentice Education & Planning Inc., a company that specializes in holistic advance care planning for individuals and forward-thinking companies. Christa leads with her heart when it comes to guiding clients through death and funeral planning.  She’s also a great resource for funeral planning, making arrangements after…

Allison Applebaum stood by her dad Stanley as his caregiving partner, respecting his wishes and maintaining his quality of life through the very end of his life.  Allison was previously the Founding …

Allison Applebaum st…

Allison Applebaum stood by her dad Stanley as his caregiving partner, respecting his wishes and maintaining his quality of life through the very end of his life.  Allison was previously the Founding Director of the Caregivers Clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the first program of its kind in the United States to provide comprehensive psychosocial care to family members and friends of patients who are in the caregiving role. Her father Stanley, a talented and prolific composer and musician, worked with many great artists for the 50’s and 60’s, including Neil Sedaka, Ben…