Connection Moment with Katie Orlip and Jahnna Beecham, Episode 12

Our dear friends Jahnna Beecham and Katie Ortlip join us for today’s Connection Moment.  They’re the co-authors of Living with Dying: A Complete Guide for Caregivers.  It’s our all-time favorite caregiving guidebook!  Katie, a hospice social worker, validates the emotions hospice professionals might be feeling.  It’s ok to be fearful and to grieve - we’re all going through this together.  It’s important to remember that we’re useful and important; we just have to find different ways to take care of our patients.  Katie suggests checking out the resources the Upaya Zen Center has to offer, and the work of Roshi Joan Hallifax.  Jahnna’s hospice journey includes caring for both of her parents, so she knows the stressors that come from isolation and grieving a loss.  She shares how the grief of the pandemic seems to be a shared emotion.  It’s a good time to take stock and look inward to determine what’s important to us.  You can find Katie and Jahnna’s book about caregiving at livingwithdying.com.  It’s a fantastic resource for anyone who is a personal caregiver for a loved one.  There are more resources for you at theheartofhospice.com.  We love hearing from you, so send an email to host@theheartofhospice for a personal response from Helen and Jerry.  You’re not alone in your hospice journey.  You are The Heart of Hospice.