Navigating Elder Care cover art

Navigating Elder Care

Navigating Elder Care

By: Navigating Elder Care
Listen for free

About this listen

Navigating Elder Care

 Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • What is Hospice Care?

    What is Hospice Care?
    Dec 21 2025
    Here is a podcast episode description based on your transcript, formatted for platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or a website. Episode Title: Understanding Hospice: Quality of Life When It Matters MostEpisode Summary Many families fear the word "hospice," often associating it with giving up. In this episode of Navigating Eldercare, host Laura Daniels sits down with Monica Trust, CEO of Guiding Light Hospice, to dispel the myths and reveal the profound support hospice provides. From managing complex physical symptoms like pain and nausea to offering emotional and spiritual guidance, Monica explains how hospice isn’t about how someone dies, but about how they live their remaining days. Whether you are a family member feeling overwhelmed or a healthcare professional seeking better resources for your patients, this episode offers a compassionate roadmap for one of life’s most difficult transitions. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Hospice Mission: Why hospice focuses on quality of life when a cure is no longer the goal. Hospice vs. Palliative Care: Understanding the key differences and why one often leads to the other. The "Six-Month" Rule: How the Medicare benefit works and why some patients, like President Jimmy Carter, remain on hospice for extended periods. A Holistic Team Approach: The roles of nurses, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers in supporting the entire family. Signs It’s Time: How to recognize when curative treatment may be causing more suffering than benefit. The Gift of Time: Monica shares a personal story about her own mother and grandmother, highlighting why early intervention is critical for saying goodbye. Key Resources Mentioned: Guiding Light Hospice: Call 210-585-2335 or visit guidinghospice.com Loss of Life Advocates (LOLA): Support for closing out estates and navigating the logistics of loss. Caregiver Relief Program: Volunteer support to help prevent family burnout. About Our Guest: Monica Trust is the CEO of Guiding Light Hospice. Inspired by her own family's experiences with terminal illness, she has dedicated her career to ensuring that no family has to navigate the end-of-life journey alone or unsupported. Connect with Laura Daniels: If you are facing a change in health or planning for future care, Care Advocates is here to walk alongside you. Free Consultation: 210-669-2222 Email: Laura@AdvocateRN.com Website: AdvocateRN.com Here are the timestamped chapters for the podcast episode, organized by key topics and discussion points: Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Navigating Eldercare Laura Daniels introduces the show and its mission to provide expert insights for families and medical providers managing senior transitions. 01:30 – Meet Monica Trust: What Exactly is Hospice? An introduction to Monica Trust, CEO of Guiding Light Hospice, and a clear definition of hospice as care focused on quality of life when a cure is no longer possible. 02:43 – Hospice vs. Palliative Care A breakdown of the differences between these two stages of care and why it’s important to understand the transition from treatment to comfort. 03:30 – The Danger of Waiting Too Late Monica discusses why many families delay hospice and the "cycle of suffering" that occurs with repeated hospital readmissions. 04:54 – The Myth of "Giving Up": Why Patients May Live Longer Laura and Monica discuss the statistics showing that hospice advocacy and symptom management can actually improve longevity and quality of life. 05:25 – The Jimmy Carter Example: Understanding the Benefit A look at how hospice certifications work, the "six-month" rule, and how the benefit can be extended for patients who remain appropriate for care. 06:27 – Beyond Physical Pain: Managing Holistic Symptoms A discussion on how the hospice team manages nausea, anxiety, and spiritual pain, helping families navigate the "big questions." 07:34 – Qualifying for Hospice: Who Decides? Understanding the referral process, physician certifications, and the initial assessment to determine the right level of care. 08:53 – Monica’s Personal "Why" Monica shares the moving story of her grandmother and mother, and how those experiences inspired her to become an advocate for prepared, proactive care. 12:20 – The 13-Month Bereavement Program Details on the support provided to families after a loved one passes, including the role of "Loss of Life Advocates." 14:00 – The Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) A breakdown of the roles involved in care: Nurses, Social Workers, Chaplains, CNAs, and the Veteran Liaison. 15:42 – 24/7 Support and the First Visit What to expect during the initial admission nurse visit and how Guiding Light manages after-hours emergencies. 17:07 – Equipment, Supplies, and Respite Care A look at the practical side of hospice: hospital beds, oxygen, medications, and the five-day respite benefit for burned-out caregivers. 20:16 – Dispelling Common Myths Addressing the fear that ...
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Understanding Palliative Care: Comfort, Support, and Quality of Life

    Understanding Palliative Care: Comfort, Support, and Quality of Life
    Dec 14 2025
    Navigating Eldercare: Understanding Palliative Care — It's Not What You Think! Episode Summary: Are you or a loved one navigating a serious illness? Join elder care advocate Laura Daniels as she sits down with Monica Trust, CEO of Guiding Light Hospice, to demystify Palliative Care. Too often, families mistake palliative care for hospice or "giving up." In this critical episode, Monica clarifies that palliative care is specialized medical support focused on improving quality of life and managing symptoms—and it can be sought alongside aggressive, curative treatment right from the moment of diagnosis. What You'll Learn: Palliative Care vs. Hospice: The crucial distinction—palliative care is not end-of-life care. When to Start: Why palliative care should begin as soon as a serious illness is diagnosed (e.g., cancer, CHF, dementia). The Care Team: Who is involved (doctors, nurse practitioners, social workers, chaplains) and how they coordinate with your current physicians. Empowerment Through Education: How an hour-long in-home consultation helps families and patients set goals of care and advocate for themselves, cutting through the confusion of short doctor visits. Real-Life Impact: A moving story of how palliative care supported a young patient and her family through a difficult transition. Monica provides clear advice on how to start the conversation with your doctor and shares her team's contact information to help listeners navigate this essential part of the care journey. 00:00 Introduction and Host WelcomeLaura Daniels introduces herself as the host and founder of Care Advocates, focusing on guidance for families facing elder care transitions. 01:31 Introducing the Guest and TopicLaura introduces Monica Trust, CEO of Guiding Light Hospice, to discuss the often-misunderstood topic of Palliative Care. 02:49Monica Trust's BackgroundMonica shares her personal passion for elder care, which stems from assisting her own family with her grandmother's care journey. 03:32 Defining Palliative CareA precise definition: specialized medical care for a serious illness, focused on symptom relief and stress to improve the quality of life for the patient and family. 03:59 Palliative Care vs. Hospice: The Key DifferenceCrucial distinction: You can still seek aggressive, curative treatment while receiving palliative care. 04:25 When to Introduce Palliative CareIt should be introduced as soon as a serious illness is diagnosed to help families navigate the disease process. 05:46 Explaining Palliative Care to FamiliesIt is symptom management and support from an additional care team that comes to the home. 06:18 The Value of Time in Palliative CareUnlike rushed doctor visits, Palliative Care visits are typically one hour long to discuss goals of care and process information. 07:40 The Best Time to Consider Palliative CareMonica shares a story about a transplant team—palliative care should begin the first day of diagnosis. 09:07 The Palliative Care TeamThe support team includes a doctor, nurse practitioner, social worker, and chaplain. 09:50 Coordinating with Current PhysiciansThe palliative care team works in partnership with specialists, providing documentation and communication to coordinate care. 10:35 Location of CarePalliative care can be provided wherever you call home (home, assisted living, nursing home). 11:24 Common Fears and MisconceptionsAddressing the fear that palliative care means stopping curative treatment—it does not. 12:58 Palliative Care Support for FamiliesThe team assists the family by providing ongoing education, helping them plan ahead, and understanding what to expect from their loved one's journey. 14:18 Patient Success StoryMonica shares a story of how the team (including the chaplain) supported a patient and her husband in making a courageous decision to transition from curative treatment. 16:26 What the First Visit Looks LikeThe first visit is a deep, one-hour consultation focusing on understanding the diagnosis and having Goals of Care conversations. 18:04 How to Request Palliative CareAdvice for listeners: Ask your doctor, "Am I a candidate for palliative care?" Or call Guiding Light directly. 19:07 Qualifying ConditionsExamples of chronic illnesses that qualify include Cancer, Dementia, CHF, and COPD. 20:41 Monica's Final MessageDon't be afraid; Palliative Care is a proactive way to plan, improve quality of life, and match treatment to your personal goals. 21:25 Defining Goals of CareExamples of goals: deciding when to stop treatment, discussing ventilators, or feeding tubes, and setting up Advanced Directives. 23:19 Connecting with Guiding LightContact information for Guiding Light Hospice: (210) 585-2335 or guidinghospice.com. 24:14 Host Wrap-up and Contact InfoLaura Daniels offers a free consultation and provides Care Advocates contact information: (210) 669-2222 or advocatern.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
  • Hospital Discharge Checklist: Your Essential Roadmap for a Safe Recovery

    Hospital Discharge Checklist: Your Essential Roadmap for a Safe Recovery
    Nov 23 2025

    Discharge from the hospital or a rehabilitation stay can be scary, confusing, and overwhelming. Things move fast, and lack of preparation can lead to unsafe outcomes.

    Join Elder Care Advocate Laura Daniels, RN, as she provides an essential discharge planning checklist and walks you through every step you need to take for a safe transition home or to a new care setting. Learn how to advocate for yourself or your loved one from day one, what to expect during a hospital stay, and the key questions to ask your medical team regarding medication, follow-up care, and recovery support. Laura emphasizes that the most important care happens after the hospital stay and offers a free Medicare discharge checklist resource to ensure you're prepared.

    • Learn the stages of a hospital stay and how to navigate the system.

    • Understand the importance of proactive, day-one discharge planning.

    • Discover key action items, like coordinating equipment, follow-up appointments, and support services for the crucial first 72 hours at home.

    Chapters

    00:02 Introduction to Navigating Elder Care with Host Laura Daniels, RN.

    00:20 Laura's background as an Elder Care Advocate and founder of Care Advocates.

    01:16 Care Advocates' process: Customized care planning and options (assisted living, memory care, in-home care).

    02:38 Today's Topic: The overwhelming moment of hospital or rehab discharge.

    03:32 Introduction to the Discharge Planning Checklist and key action items.

    04:02 Offer for a free, four-page Medicare Discharge Checklist.

    04:47 What to Expect During a Hospital Stay: Understanding the process.

    05:27 Stage 1: Admission (Emergency Room vs. Planned Admission).

    06:36 Stage 2: The Inpatient Phase (Specialists, Vitals, Rounds, Task-Driven Care).

    07:44 How to Advocate for Yourself or a Loved One.

    08:46 Key Questions to Ask from Day One: Plan, goals, concerns, therapy.

    09:14 Taking Ownership of your admission and outcomes (bring a notebook!).

    10:04 Asking about medication changes and starting discharge planning on day one.

    10:48 Your Rights: Speaking up if you don't feel ready for discharge.

    11:29 Questions to ask about the post-discharge plan (rehab, SNF, home health).

    12:20 Hospital stay is a temporary stop; focus on what comes next.

    13:42 Why Discharge Planning is Crucial: High risk of readmissions and complications.

    14:50 The patient/caregiver is a key partner in the discharge process.

    15:40 Overview of the Medicare Discharge Checklist components.

    16:05 Checklist items: Home assessment, follow-up appointments, transportation.

    17:04 Support Services: Home health, meal prep, and community resources.

    17:34 Equipment and Medications: Ensuring they are ordered in time.

    17:54 Emergency plan and 24-hour contact list.

    18:28 The Crucial First 72 Hours post-discharge and need for support.

    19:5 6Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) discharge considerations.

    20:25 Resources & Next Steps: CMS checklist, referral service contacts, Medicare helpline.

    21:18 Final encouragement and a client story about an unsafe discharge.

    22:39 Outro: Contact information and services offered by Care Advocates.

    24:07 Free Consultation and contact details: 210-669-2222.

    25:06 Closing remarks.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    26 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.