What is Hospice Care? cover art

What is Hospice Care?

What is Hospice Care?

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 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 ...
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.