Living With Hospice
by Mitch Ware
Everyone's end of life journey should be comfortable, peaceful and dignified. In every episode, Mitch Ware, long time Hospice Bedside volunteer and former Hospice client, will share his experiences and knowledge to show others how they can achieve the best palliative care available through Hospice. And, he will take your questions and answer them on future episodes as well. If you are considering end of life care, this podcast is for you!
Episodes
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Episode 29: Hospice and the Holidays
Holidays are often difficult for anyone who has experienced or is facing the death of someone they love. Instead of being a time of tradition, family togetherness, sharing and giving thanks for blessings, this time of year can bring feelings of sadness, loss and emptiness. What do we do when we…
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Episode 45: Accepting the Prognosis (Part 1)
In this three part series, Mitch discusses the experience and emotions associated with being told that a disease is no longer treatable from different perspectives. In part one of this series, we look at how this news impacts the patient and the fear associated with such a prognosis. Mitch…
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Episode 44: To Doula or Not to Doula
Diverging a bit from the Hospice theme, in episode 44, Mitch explores another form of end-of-life care and the role of a "Death Doula". He explains the origins of a doula role in relationship to the dying process, and the recent resurgence of this in modern end-of-life care.
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Episode 43: The 7 Minute Scoop: Just Breathe...
At sometime in our lives, we will all have a traumatic experience that causes us to have a strong emotional or physical reaction. On most occasions though, these reactions subside as a part of the body’s natural healing and recovery process, but in the moment, they seem overwhelming. In this...
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Episode 42: It's Never Too Late to Plan
Talking about the eventuality of death is not something anyone likes to do - much less plan for. In addition to bringing up a whole host of emotions, it can be just an incredibly uncomfortable conversation to have with someone who is terminally ill. In this episode of Living With Hospice, Mitch...
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Episode 40: Hospice and the Holidays
Originally published in 2020, LWH's classic episode on how to handle the Holidays is once again returning for the season! Holidays are often difficult for anyone who has experienced or is facing the death of someone they love. Instead of being a time of tradition, family togetherness, sharing and...
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Episode 39: The 7 Minute Scoop: It's OK to Make a Change
We've all experienced the need to make a change at some point in our lives and understand that it can bring about a host of emotions and some fear of the unknown. While at times, this can be something exciting, when on an end of life journey, this can seem difficult, overwhelming and just plain...
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Episode 38: LWH Q&A Session 1
In this episode of Living With Hospice, Mitch makes good on a promise made during most of the episodes to answer questions that listeners have submitted over time. In this episode, we discuss active dying, telling our loved ones that we are out of treatment options, accepting the choice when...
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Episode 37: Closing The Books
In this episode of Living With Hospice, Mitch addresses the many facets of 'closing the books' at the end of our lives, including practical planning, reviewing the bucket list and the often uncomfortable topic of saying goodbye. While this can be an emotionally difficult period, it can also be...
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Episode 36: The 7 Minute Scoop: Outliving the Life-Expectancy Prognosis
Why do some Hospice patients not make it to their life expectancy while others outlive their diagnosis? How come some patients seem to actually get better once they begin receiving Hospice care? In this short episode, Mitch discusses the factors used in determining the life - expectancy of a...
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Episode 35: Addressing Grief when it's Triggered
Grief is a long process to endure when you lose someone you love. In Living With Hospice's fourth grief-centric episode, Mitch addresses the topic of grief triggers and how they can bring up that pain of loss and other emotions, sometimes even years later. While some may be very obvious and...
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Episode 34: A Special Thank You to Our Listeners!
Mitch sends his sincere gratitude to listeners and readers as Living With Hospice surpasses 5000 podcast downloads! Truly blessed to be able to continue bringing this message of strength, hope and experience, Mitch shares his expectations from when we first started the podcast and some...
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Episode 33: Telling Them That it's Ok to Go
Have you heard stories about people that are on their deathbed but seem to linger on, as if they're waiting for something or someone before they crossover? Whether they are worried about family, money, finances or just fearful of leaving this earth, it is sometimes a struggle for our loved ones…
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Episode 32: The 7 Minute Scoop: The Call to Volunteer
When someone is feeling a call to volunteer, hospice organizations are not typically on the top of many lists because people are uncomfortable being exposed to death and dying. In this episode, Mitch offers a very different perspective of why people volunteer for hospice and how being there for...
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Episode 31: Facing Our Fear of Death
Death is something that we all, sooner or later, have to face - especially when we or a loved one are on an end of life journey. To some extent, we are all scared of death – whether it be the thought of our own death or the fear that someone we love might pass away. But how do we respond to this...
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Episode 30: New Year, Same Struggle
As the New Year begins, people are often filled with renewed energy and hope. It's a time of new resolutions, new promise, new adventures, and boundless opportunities. However, when you're on an end of life journey with someone, the world around you never quite feels like that. In this episode,...
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Episode 28: Did I do Enough?
The last few episodes have explored the grief process as it is a common feeling before, during and after we lose our loved one. In this episode, Mitch discusses another common emotion that happens after our loved one has passed - guilt. It's normal to ask ourselves, "Could I have done more?" and...
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Episode 27: How to Manage Grief
Revisiting this complex topic for a third time, Mitch Ware takes a deeper look into the seven stages of grief and explores how we cycle through them. From shock and denial to rebuilding and acceptance, the journey through these phases can be exceptionally difficult to experience. Relating his...
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Episode 26: How to Help the Caregiver
Every once in while, we discover that a dear friend or family member is cast into the role of being a caregiver for someone who is in an end of life situation. The first thing we think is how can I help? In this episode, Mitch Ware explains the importance of helping out our caregiver friends, and...
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Episode 25: The 7 Minute Scoop: What Is Sundown Syndrome, And How You Can Manage It.
Many people suffering with one of the many forms of dementia, experience a strange restlessness around mid to late afternoon. This restlessness usually carries on into the night adversely affecting sleep. This phenomenon is called Sundowning. In this short 7 minutes, Mitch Ware gives us the whole...
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Episode 24: How Do I Get Off This Emotional Roller-Coaster?
All of us find ourselves on an emotional roller-coaster as we deal with a friend's or loved ones illness. It really can get intense as that persons condition changes. Add in the crazy world events around us, and it can be over whelming. In this episode, Mitch Ware explains what is causing these...
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Episode 23: The 7-Minute Scoop: Do I need a DNR?
In this 7-Minute Scoop, Mitch discusses the often debated DNR, or Do Not Resuscitate, order. He explains what it really means to sign a DNR, and what it doesn't mean.
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Episode 22: What to Say to Someone Who is Grieving
We all have times when we encounter a family member or friend who is suffering from loss. Their grief is legitimate and serious. So, what do you say to them? We all feel the need to say something that will help them feel better. In this episode, Mitch Ware explains the emotional dynamics involved...
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Episode 21: Family Can't Agree, So How Do I Handle That??
There are no perfect families, and as the old saying goes; weddings and funerals either bring out the best or the worst in us! Words can hit harder than fists. In times of crisis, personal emotions often rule the day. Things are said that leave wounds for a lifetime. In this episode, Mitch Ware...
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Episode 20: Understanding the 'Rally' Before Death
In this 7-Minute Scoop, Mitch discusses the phenomenon of "Terminal Lucidity" also known as the 'last minute rally'. Many people who are in their 11th hour, have a sudden unexpected return of mental and physical ability that occurs before death. He explains what can happen when this occurs, and...
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Episode 19: What Can I Expect When My Loved One is Transitioning?
Dying is a tough thing to even think about, let alone talk about. And when you find yourself pondering this situation with a loved one’s final weeks, days and hours, it can be very scary. That’s okay you are not alone; those feelings are very common. In this episode, Mitch Ware is going to share...
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Episode 18: The 7 Minute Scoop - Is there Hospice For Kids??
Living With Hospice is launching a bonus feature for our listeners, by answering a listeners question in a special bonus episode entitled "The 7 Minute Scoop." In this 7 Minute Scoop, Mitch Ware discusses the often asked question, 'Is there Hospice for kids??' And he ends the episode with a...
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Episode 17: No! You cannot come over and visit ...
In this episode, Mitch Ware talks about the difficult task of sharing with close friends and family that they cannot come over and visit the person in Hospice Care due to colds and flu. Depending on family dynamics, it can be very challenging. Mitch also offers options to consider in place of an...
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Episode 16: Ugh, Our Hospice SUCKS!!
In this episode, Mitch shares a few stories about different Hospice organizations that are deservedly (and some that are undeservedly) getting a really bad reputation. From the lips of some families, Our Hospice SUCKS!! See what's going on, and discover some solutions!
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Episode 15: Hey, What Do I Say To Someone Who Is Dying?
One of the most difficult things in life can be talking to a friend or loved on who is terminally ill. In this episode, Mitch Ware discusses the awkwardness and how to avoid it! And as usual, he ends the episode with a wonderful story of bro-love.
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Episode 14: 30 Common Myths and Rumors About Hospice!
There are tons myths and rumors about Hospice care. In this episode, Mitch Ware will address his top 30 and give you the straight scoop! And as always, this episode ends with a touching story.
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Episode 13: Services provided by Hospice
Most people have no idea of all of the services available to Hospice patients and their caregivers. In this episode, Mitch Ware will discuss these services and give you a better idea of how to maximize Hospice care for you and your family.
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Episode 12: My Loved One Has Dementia Ugh!!!
So, we are in Hospice care for whatever reason, and we are care-giving for someone who also has Dementia. In this episode Mitch Ware will take a look at what to expect with the dementia issue. He speaks from a first hand perspective as both a care-giver and as a long time Hospice volunteer. This...
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Episode 11: I think I have CAREGIVER BURNOUT, HELP!!
Most of us, … the huge majority of us that are or have been caregivers, are so focused on care-giving, we forget about everyone else … including ourselves. Care Giver Burnout is very common and for the most part, can be avoided. In this episode, Mitch Ware explains what Caregiver Burnout is, and...
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Episode 10: What Does Music Have To Do With It ???
In this episode, Mitch shares the importance of music in patient care. He tells several stories that demonstrate his points, and will touch your heart!
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Episode 9: I am now a caregiver, HELP!!
In this episode, Mitch describes what a Caregiver is, does, and gives tips on how to be the best Caregiver ever!
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Episode 8: HOW and WHEN do I Start Grieving?
This episode’s topic is really interesting and near and dear to my heart: how and when do we start grieving? We all feel loss from time to time in our lives. Most of the time is something not so important and we deal with it and move on. Sometimes however, it is a significant loss. And in some...
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Episode 7: What is the Real Difference Between Hospice in the Home and Inpatient?
In this episode we take a look at the differences between hospice home care and hospice inpatient care as well as the benefits of each. What we discover might surprise you!
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Episode 6: How do I Choose a Hospice that is the Right Fit for Us?
In this episode, Mitch explores the various types of hospice organizations, the benefits to each and how you can determine which is right for you.
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Episode 5: Non-Profit vs. For Profit
In this episode, Mitch discuses difference between Non-Profit and For Profit hospice organizations.
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Episode 4: How Much Does Hospice Cost?
In this episode, Mitch tackles one of the most common questions asked, how much does hospice cost and how do we pay for it?? The episode ends with a short great story!
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Episode 3: When is the Proper Time to Call Hospice?
Mitch explains how to determine when is the proper time to call in hospice.
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Episode 2: What is Hospice Anyway?
In this episode, Mitch Ware defines what hospice is. He also explains palliative care and curative care. Mitch explains the difference between hospice, palliative and curative care. The episode ends with an amazing short story!
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Episode 1: Meet Mitch Ware, and Living With Hospice
In this first episode you get to meet Mitch Ware, discover his personal story; hear the mission of this podcast and get information on how you can send in Hospice related questions for Mitch and his team to answer for you.
About this show
Everyone's end of life journey should be comfortable, peaceful and dignified. In every episode, Mitch Ware, long time Hospice Bedside volunteer and former Hospice client, will share his experiences and knowledge to show others how they can achieve the best palliative care available through Hospice. And, he will take your questions and answer them on future episodes as well. If you are considering end of life care, this podcast is for you!
Hosted by
Mitch Ware
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