End of Life

John Wenderlein joins Suzanne to talk about how he got started as a hospice chaplain and wrote his two books ''Remember Me: End of Life as Seen through the Eyes of a Hospice Chaplain'' and ''Delayed Honor.''

Daphne Davis at Pinnacle Senior Placements talks about how to have those difficult family conversations. Every single day she has these types of conversations with...

Answers for Elders Radio host Suzanne Newman welcomes Erica Baccus, author of ''A Promise Kept: Honoring His Wishes, Embracing Our Love.'' In this segment, Suzanne reads a few passages from the book to hear more about them from Erica. Married couples facing the realities of dementia and end-of-life choices will find this conversation both raw and profoundly important. Erica says, "It's important for you to know that I am not advocating for anyone to do what John decided to do. My goal is simply to build awareness about this issue and celebrate our life together." With honesty, compassion, and courage, this conversation is for married couples, caregivers, and anyone who may someday face the realities of dementia and end-of-life decisions.

There comes a time when you're caregiving a loved one when the time is near, we have an option for hospice care. Hospice is the umbrella of care that surrounds end of life. Eligibility comes down to a significant decline, not eating or walking, or a significant weight loss, with a diagnosis of six months or less to live, and a doctor's referral. If you feel that they qualify, you can ask for an evaluation. It focuses on quality of comfort at end of life.

Kelley Smith, VP of sales and marketing at CarePartners Senior Living, talks at Discovery 2019, the 34th Annual Alzheimer's Regional Conference. CarePartners operates seven dementia-dedicated senior care facilities in Washington. Sometimes intervention happens too soon — it has to be the right marriage of timing and where seniors are in their journey.

How many of us have lost loved ones during the pandemic, having illnesses resulting from the pandemic, taking care of spouses or loved ones who are struggling? We turn ourselves inside out while caring for a loved one. Kelley shares insights about grief, how people process grief, and how we can be better at supporting and helping those working through the grieving process.

Hospice chaplain John Wenderlein joins Suzanne to talk about how he helps families facilitate having those difficult conversations during end of life care and hospice.

Kelley Smith at CarePartners Senior Living joins Suzanne to talk about grief. With the loss of a loved one, Kelley talks about how to support those who are in the grieving process.

As a family member, how do you support them as they make that transition to the afterlife? Cassidy Bastien talks about how to be there for someone when they're dying, and what to say.

Hospice chaplain John Wenderlein joins Suzanne to talk about learning how to have the conversations to say goodbye to our loved ones at the end of their lives.