Erin Whalen, founder of Compassionate Coaching, is working to help end of life and grief professionals love their work again. Using her unique gifts, Erin and the Compassionate Coaching theater troop employ “playback theater” to develop engaging programming that centers around giving and receiving empathy. They work with end of life teams to mitigate burnout, enabling the teams to continue providing care for those who are dying.

Erin understands grief, loss, and the importance of caring for ourselves as we care for others. Erin lived her whole life in a state of anticipatory grief for the loss of her older sister, Gina. Gina was born with severe cerebral palsy, and died in 2016. Grief milestones are very familiar to Erin. Now she uses her work at Compassionate Coaching to support those who work to care for the dying.

You can connect with Compassionate Coaching at compassionatecoaching.org.

If you’re interested in playback theater to support your hospice team, click here.

If you’re an end of life worker and want to participate in a Storytelling Workshop, click here.

Find Erin Whalen on LinkedIn here.

Find all the resources that Barbara Karnes has to offer at bkbooks.com.

Purchase the End of Life Guideline Series Bundle here.

Find Barbara’s new booklet Always Offer, Never Force: Food at the End of Life here.

Read Barbara’s blog here.

Connect with Barbara Karnes on social media: Facebook Insta LinkedIn Twitter Pinterest YouTube

Order your copies of The Hospice Care Plan: A Path to Comfort here, now available in English and Spanish!

Check out the free library of video tutorials from the creators of The Hospice Care Plan hospice nurses Nancy Heyerman and Brenda Kizzire here.

Read more about Nancy and Brenda and their mission to improve hospice care here.

Find Odonata Care on social media: Facebook YouTube IG TikTok

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you. If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.

Book podcast host Helen Bauer to speak at your event or conference by sending an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Find more podcast episodes from The Heart of Hospice at The Heart of Hospice Podcast (theheartofhospice.com)

In this podcast, host Marianne Sciucco is joined by an ensemble of talented poets to officially launch our anthology, Poetry for the Dementia Journey. This collection brings together caregivers who have personally navigated the complexities of caregiving, diagnosis, and emotional upheavals tied to Alzheimer's and dementia.

They write about many of the situations common to caregivers: the impact of the initial diagnosis, moving into assisted living or memory care, saying goodbye. From touching moments with loved ones to the nuanced challenges of caregiving, these poems offer solace, understanding, and a break from the isolating silence often surrounding dementia.

Whether you’re a caregiver, a family member, or someone seeking to understand the impact of Alzheimer's, this anthology and today’s episode provide a profound sense of connection and empathy. You'll experience a myriad of emotions, from sadness to joy, despair and hope. In the end, you will be comforted in knowing that you are not alone.

Takeaways:

· Gain insight into the profound impact of personal storytelling on Alzheimer's.

· Understand the unique challenges and emotional impact of early onset Alzheimer's on families.

· Explore the benefits of creative expression in providing holistic care for individuals with dementia.

Purchase Poetry for the Dementia Journey

Timestamps and page numbers:

2:30 Mariana Mcdonald, Diagnosis, p.30

5:06 Austin Alexis, Dementia Intrigue (not in book)

7:12 Sue Fagalde Lick, You Dance, p.80

8:42 Gail Thomas, A Daughter's Garland, p.114

10:28 Judith H. Montgomery, Mother's Day at Aspen Ridge Assisted Living, p.101

12:10 Ann Campanella, Child Mother, p.62

13:43 Margaret Stawowy, Mother Country, p.162

15:33 Eileen Kennedy, Ritual, p.59

16:41 Joy Johnston, At the Crossroads, p.167

17:47 Sherri Levine, Stealing Flowers from the Neighbors, p.147

20:37 Patricia McKernon Runkle, Given the Mother Word PURE, p.119

21:52 Alan Bern, Boxae, p.17

24:59 Kelly Dumar, Mrs. Bean's Snow, p.158

29:00 Renee Terry Mucci, Life, p.127

30:55 Eileen Kennedy, End of Day, p.60

31:59 Mariana Mcdonald, All the Books, p.31

34:10 Austin Alexis, The Patient, p.95

36:58 Gail Thomas, Alchemy, p.116

39:47 Alan Bern, Dream of Tangles, p.15

40:40 Judith Montgomery, Sometimes, p.103

43:56 Kelly Dumar, How He Asks, p.157

45:15 Ann Campanella, Beyond Words, p.63

47:01 Margaret Stawowy, Signs of Her Decline, p.163

About the Moderator

Marianne Sciucco

About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others.

Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. Your generosity will help cover our many operating costs, which include website hosting and maintenance fees, service charges to keep things running smoothly, and marketing expenses to promote our authors, expand our content, improve our reach, and more. Our ongoing work supports our mission to lift the silence and stigma of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To sustain our efforts please donate here.

Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.

Thanks for listening.

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Can human connection and dignity survive in a profit-driven healthcare system? On this episode of "Love Conquers Alz," we are joined by the talented artist and filmmaker Teace Snyder, who introduces his thought-provoking film "Hold Me." The film explores the emotionally charged and controversial topic of voluntary euthanasia, focusing on a woman whose job is to comfort individuals in their final moments. Teace shares the poignant inspiration behind the film, highlighting the ambiguous professional role of a "holder" and how the film raises essential questions about human connection, grief, and end-of-life care. Our conversation with Snyder sheds light on the delicate balance between personal choice and ethical implications in these profound moments.

Our discussion expands to the broader issues of systemic neglect and the isolating experiences of the elderly and sick in our healthcare system, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We draw parallels to solitary confinement and critique the pervasive influence of money in healthcare, particularly within the hospice system. Through a candid examination of systemic corruption and the hidden influence of the nursing home lobby, we aim to inspire grassroots movements and honest conversations. Our goal is to foster empathy and prioritize human dignity in a system too often driven by profit. Join us as we navigate these complex topics with hope and a commitment to meaningful change.

Support the Show.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT FOR NURSING HOME REFORM BY SUPPORTING THE COMPLETION OF OUR DOCUMENTARY "NO COUNTRY FOR OLD PEOPLE" BY MAKING A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION THROUGH THE NATIONAL CONSUMER VOICE HERE or GO FUND ME Follow us on Twitter, FB, IG, & TiK Tok