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Celebrating Women in Hospice: Strengths, Obstacles, and Anecdotes

In honor of Women's History Month, we had a conversation with four extraordinary women who work in hospice care. Join us as they share with us their journey as healthcare professionals caring for individuals at the end of life, their passion for their professions, who inspires them, and their advice for other women in this role.

 

Ending song credit: “Respect” by Aretha Franklin.

Black History Reflections: Four Women in Healthcare

In honor of Black History Month, we have a poignant conversation with four members of our hospice staff. They share with us powerful stories of growing up as African Americans in the DMV area, their family values, and their wisdom. Join us as they describe how these experiences shaped their journey as women in healthcare and the importance of caring for the African American community at the end of life.

Ending song credit: “Lift Every Voice And Sing” Performed by Davey Yarborough & Esther Williams at a TEDx Pearl Street Talk

Let's talk about Hospice and Palliative Care

Hospice and palliative care are two services that can improve the quality of life at the end of life. Understanding the differences and similarities between the two is key to making an informed healthcare decision. Listen to this episode featuring our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Schrier to understand the relationship between hospice and palliative care.

What It Means to Be a Hospice Nurse

Hospice nurses meet patients and families at one of most vulnerable time of their lives. At Montgomery Hospice and Prince George's Hospice, we are fortunate to have the most dedicated and compassionate people in healthcare, working to serve our patients. In honor of International Nurses Day, we interviewed our Director of Clinical Access Services, Sharon Cline for this Episode of What's Import to You. In this episode, Sharon discusses the different types and roles of hospice nurses. She also talks about some of the best and most difficult parts of being a hospice nurse.

Celebrating Hospice Social Workers

March is Social Work Month. With this episode we hope to salute the many social workers who advocate for a better quality of life for patients, families and community members. Our Social workers at Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice provide specialized care by helping patients and families learn coping skills, resolve emotional, psychological and grief suffering as well as help patients and families with practical task. In this episode you will hear Beth Kreimeyer, a clinical social worker, for Montgomery Hospice and Prince George's Hospice, with almost 14 years of hospice social work experience discuss how she helps families with difficult  discussions, address their feelings and prepare for loss and grief.

Hospice in the Spotlight

What is Hospice Care? What makes Montgomery Hospice and Prince Georges Hospice unique? Listen to this very special episode of What’s Important to you as DMV Spotlight, a radio station on ESPN 630 , shines a light on hospice and palliative care. This interview features, Dr Geoff Coleman, Chief Medical Officer, and Monica Escalante, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Communications Officer of Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice. Dr. Coleman and Monica discuss the various services offered by Montgomery Hospice from Support Groups on Grief to Comfort Care in -home or in extended care facilities including music, pet, aroma and massage therapies. This is an episode you do not want to miss!

Spirituality at End of Life: A Bereavement Counselor Perspective

The goal of hospice care is to relieve the suffering of patients and their families by offering comprehensive care that addresses the patients’ physical, psycho-social, and spiritual needs. Spirituality means different things to different people. Everyone has spiritual needs throughout their lives whether they follow a religion or not. For this episode, we invited Maude Harrison-Hudson, one of the Bereavement Counselor for Montgomery Hospice and Prince George’s Hospice, to give us her perspectives on spirituality at end of life. Maude uses anecdotal stories from her personal experience to highlight the integral role spirituality plays in patient care.

Invaluable Gift: Conversation On Advance Directives

Do you have an Advance Directive? Have you had the discussion regarding who you would want to make healthcare decisions for you if you are not able to make them for yourself? What happens when we don't have conversations about our health care wishes? Listen to this special episode of What's Important to You, where Dr. Shahid Aziz discusses ways to prepare for difficult conversation and offers practical strategies on how to have meaningful conversations on advance directives.

Should We Talk to Children About Death?

When someone in your family is nearing the end, can the children handle it?  How much should you tell them? How close do you allow them to get?  Listen to today's interview with our Clinical Manager of Montgomery Kids to learn how to support children as they experience the death of a loved one. 

Working With Challenging Families

There is great meaning and purpose in the experience of Caregiving. But the role also comes with high levels of burden and stress. In hospice, the multidisciplinary team is uniquely positioned to initiate and model supportive care to both patients and their family. What if the family needs specific attention or effort, and is challenging to work with? Listen to an interview with one of our Social Workers, Lisa Frank, to learn more about how to deal with "demanding" families.