Jan 16, 2023
It is seldom that I am able to provide a conversation that will be needed by nearly every family at some point in their lives. I am blessed to have had this intimate end-of-life conversation with two medical providers who have answered the very important calling of working in hospice care. My guests are: Dr. Larry Skendzel - Medical Director, Gundersen Hospice and Dr. Jasmine Hudnall - Department Chair: Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Medical Director: Advance Care Planning department, Gundersen Health System. Following this audio outline, resource links are provided.
02:50 – Hospice: As a noun is it a person, a place or a thing?
07:00 – Young age hospice compared to elderly end-of-life care.
09:00 – Letting go, on our own schedule – Individual mysteries.
12:30 – Rewards of working as a medical caregiver.
14:45 – Bettering the quality of life.
18:00 – What improvements can be made?
20:00 – Death at home or in a facility.
21:00 – Four levels of Hospice care.
23:15 – Who makes-up the team?
26:15 – Religious faith and personal spirituality.
28:15 – Volunteers.
30:15 – Covid’s effect on Hospice.
32:35 – Fear of Hospice.
36:30 – Who pays the costs?
40:30 – Initiating the hospice conversation.
43:00 – How are Doctors trained?
46:25 – Has medical training changed?
49:45 – What do you wish your patients knew?
51:45 – Hospice verses Palliative medicine.
55:40 – Where do I find more information?
57:00 – Additional online Resources.
57:30 – A typical day as a hospice doctor.
Additional Resources:
https://www.gundersenhealth.org/palmer/hospice