Grief is something Hospice is able to help patients and families process before the death, as we’ve talked about. They’re also still there for support after the patient dies.

Waving goodbye to someone at end-of-life can be incredibly hard but having a bit of a game plan before it gets to that point can be helpful. We call this legacy work

Palliative care can help support someone living with a chronic condition for years before their illness reaches a point where they’d qualify for Hospice. However, once that chronic condition gets to a point where a person’s life expectancy is six months and they no longer want to seek curative treatment the palliative care journey draws to a close and a referral to Hospice may be made. 

Talking about death generally makes people uncomfortable, especially in our society. But sometimes, because we don’t talk about it, witnessing the emotions people go through or physical changes that happen to a person while they are dying can feel scary.

For sure. Especially if you’re a caregiver, caring for someone might be rewarding, but also exhausting. And having the extra helping hand that Palliative care can provide is such a help to the patient and their family.

Yes, cumulative grief can be so complicated when you’re the one experiencing it. And of course, we don’t talk about it enough. Grief can be about many things, not just losing a friend or family member. And it’s very possible for us to be grieving multiple things at once.

For both the hosts the actual process of dying, what it looks like, was never something discussed before a loved one was on hospice. While it was a lot to take in knowing what was "normal" and what to expect when was so helpful.

Perfect analogy and yes, no one likes a back seat driver, but these aspects of the AIM program are not the annoying back seat driver you've joked about. These pieces make the AIM program such a wonderful source of additional support for our patients. 

Absolutely! It's not something that everyone feels comfortable with but it is completely normal. We don't talk about grief and what that looks like so when we experience it, it can be overwhelming and confusing.  

This is such an important topic and it’s one that gets frequently written off as “just stress.” It’s not something that everyone will experience with every loss but when you do experience it, it can be a bit of a double-edged sword.

The Palliative Care journey is the perfect place to start because most people need support like our AIM program way before they need Hospice care. 

AIM, Palliative Care, isn’t hospice? What’s the biggest difference?

AIM is not Hospice. There are quite a few differences but the biggest one is that people on AIM only need to have a chronic condition, they’re not in the terminal or end stages of their illness. 

Join Kate and Skip as they explore end of life planning, palliative care, hospice care, death, dying, grief, and how to face it all with courage, compassion, and maybe even a laugh or two. 

It's a journey we're all on...let's keep talking about it. 

Join hosts Mary and Linda in an inspiring journey through the pages of some captivating books in this episode of our podcast. As avid readers, they delve into a discussion about their current literary companions, focusing on works that explore the art of seizing life's moments to the fullest. From seizing opportunities to cherishing every experience, they explore the profound messages embedded in these reads. Tune in as Mary and Linda share insights, reflections, and personal anecdotes sparked by these thought-provoking narratives. Whether you're a bookworm or simply seeking inspiration, this episode promises to ignite your passion for living fully.

Guest Speaker: Kate Favaro, Hospice Bereavement Coordinator

In this episode, Mary Jones sits down with Chad Green, Funeral Director/ Owner of Donaldson Funeral Home in Massena, and Donaldson- Seymour Funeral Home in Potsdam. This discussion provides an overview of the funeral planning process.  

Welcome, Chad to the podcast! 

In this episode, Mary Jones sits down with Chad Green, Funeral Director/ Owner of Donaldson Funeral Home in Massena, and Donaldson- Seymour Funeral Home in Potsdam. This discussion provides an overview of the funeral planning process.  

Welcome, Chad to the podcast! 

Advanced Care Planning is not about planning for your death. It is about making health care decisions that are right for you. We don’t' consider planning for important health care decisions because that won’t happen for a long time and discussing dying is sad and depressing. At Hospice we have learned over the last 40 years that talking about and planning for serious health issues allows patients and family to spend time with each other making memories and sharing stories until the patient’s last breath.  

• Adults supporting teens do not assume and lower your expectations. 
•  Teens need support, understanding, a listening ear and boundaries. 
• Encourage teens to create their own coping strategies 

Thank you to the Potsdam Public Library, for the use of their podcasting studio!