Process Improvement in Hospice Care and Listener Appreciation In episode 106 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN discusses the importance of process improvement in hospice care, emphasizing the benefits of early hospice involvement for patients and their families. Marie also expresses gratitude for recent written reviews and encourages listeners to continue showing their support by leaving ratings and reviews. She briefly previews upcoming episodes featuring challenging stories and reminds listeners to stay tuned for Chaplain John next week. 00:00 Introduction and Upcoming Episode ..read more

Understanding Hospice Care: Insights from Nurse Peter Abraham In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, RN, interviews Nurse Peter Abraham. Peter shares his extensive experience in cardiac telemetry, skilled nursing, and rural home hospice care. They discuss the significance of early hospice enrollment, the challenges of caring for dementia and Parkinson's patients, and the impactful personal stories from Peter's career. Special focus is given to the educational resources available on Peter's website, Compassion Crossing, which aims to support families, caregivers, and new hosp ..read more

Understanding End-of-Life Care: Insights from Pepper Cappuccio, RN In episode 104 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN focuses on demystifying end-of-life care. From Episode #28 Special guest Pepper Cappuccio RN, author of 'Warm Water, The Last Act of Compassion," shares his experiences as a hospice nurse, emphasizing the importance of compassion, cultural diversity in grieving, and pain management. The episode also covers the significant role music plays in soothing patients and starting the grieving process. Additionally, the importance of medication and various supportive measures ar ..read more

Pet Hospice and Humane Euthanasia with Dr. Tyler Sugarman In episode 103 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN, dives into the emotional and practical aspects of pet hospice and humane euthanasia with Dr. Tyler Sugarman, the host of Vetsplanation. Dr. Sugarman shares his journey in veterinary medicine, his extensive experience in emergency veterinary care, and tips on making tough decisions about end-of-life care for pets. The discussion includes managing pet pain, ensuring quality of life, and ways to memorialize beloved pets after they pass. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of t ..read more

Ep. 98 This episode is a partial Replay of Episode #29  Host Marie Betcher RN interviews Chris Graham, PA, the co-founder of Stillwater Hospice, discussing Medicare coverage for hospice patients and the importance of education in rural end-of-life care. They emphasize the significance of choice, comfort, and empowerment for both patients and caregivers in the hospice journey.   00:00 Introduction 00:40 Guest Introduction 05:38 Medicare Coverage for Hospice Patients 00:54 Rural Hospice Care 15:10 Insurance Coverage and Charity Care 21:27 Choice and Empowerment in End-of-Life Care 21:4 ..read more

Ep. 97 Transforming Grief with Photography: A Conversation with Shannon McFarland In this thought-provoking episode of 'Hospice Explained', host Marie Betcher, RN, welcomes guest Shannon McFarland, a photographer who specializes in capturing the essence of families during their most vulnerable times, including hospice care, terminal illness, and the end of life. Shannon shares her personal journey into photography, which began with a complicated pregnancy and evolved into a mission to document the unseen moments of grief, love, and compassion. She discusses the significance of capturing not ju ..read more

Empowering Caregivers: Insights and Innovations with Denise Brown   In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, RN, engages in a comprehensive discussion with Denise Brown, a pioneer in supporting family caregivers since 1990, and the founder of the Caregiving Years Training Academy.   Denise shares her journey of creating one of the first online caregiving communities, developing resources like the 10th edition of the Caregiving Guide, and authoring 13 books aimed at providing comfort and strategies for caregivers.   The interview delves into the complexities of c ..read more

Ep. 95 Understanding Hospice: Finding a Hospice Agency and Knowing When to Call   This episode of Hospice Explained, hosted by Marie Betcher RN, revisits the topic from episode 20 about identifying the right time to call the nurse or the hospice team for assistance. It begins with guidance on using medicare.gov to find local hospice agencies by zip code.   The episode stresses the importance of choosing the right hospice provider by doing thorough research, seeking multiple opinions, and understanding what to expect from hospice care.   Additionally, the episode covers when to c ..read more

EP. 93 Patient Quotes: Stories of Resilience with Dr. Christina Gomez     In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, RN, interviews Dr. Christina Gomez, a GI Medical Oncologist at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center and author of 'Stopped in My Tracks, A Physician's Collection of Cancer Patients Quotes'.     Dr. Gomez shares her journey into Oncology, highlighting the significance of patient-doctor relationships and the profound role hospice care plays in the oncology field. The discussion delves into the importance of honest communication between patients ..read more

Ep. 92 Hospice Explained - Episode 92: After Death A discussion of the movie 'After Death' based on survivors' near-death experiences and its impact on spirituality and choices.   00:00 Introduction 00:38 Movie Review: After Death 01:19 Inspiration from 'Imagine Heaven' 01:42 Hospice Encounters Podcast 02:36 Impact of Choices and Kindness 02:59 Affiliate links and Support 04:00 Upcoming Interview   https://a.co/d/fDZKTOX https://youtu.be/wMMAnO67RPw?si=qo2NkM8byR99A5x4   Hospice Encounters Episode #1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hospic ..read more