For Those Who Care
Welcome to “For Those Who Care”. Hosted by RuthAnn, who spent 25 years caring for her husband, Lance, a disabled U.S. Navy Veteran living with two rare blood cancers and early onset dementia, this podcast was created for caregivers and those who support them. Gain valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the caregiver’s life through honest conversations, personal stories, and interviews with caregivers and experts. RuthAnn and her guests explore the challenges, joys, and often overlooked moments of caregiving.
Whether you are a caregiver yourself or someone who wants to better understand and support the caregivers in your life, this podcast offers insight, encouragement, and community. Join us to connect, listen, and find strength in the caregiving experience.
For Those Who Care
73 - When Comfort Matters Most: Understanding Hospice with Nurse Sharon (Part 1)
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In this episode, I’m joined once again by my dear friend Sharon. You may recognize her from last week's episode about Home Health. Sharon first cared for my late husband Lance as his home health nurse, and two years later, when it was time to begin hospice, I asked if she would be his hospice nurse. Having her walk with us through that season meant more than I can say.
Sharon talks about what hospice really is, common misconceptions, how it differs from palliative care, when it’s typically recommended, and what families can expect when care begins. She also helps paint a picture of what home hospice looks like and how support extends beyond medical needs to include comfort, understanding, and connection. She brings years of experience as a hospice nurse, and shares stories that reveal the heart of her work—the moments that have shaped her, the memories of patients that have stayed with her, and what continues to inspire her to do this kind of meaningful care.
Our conversation offers insight, reassurance, and hope for anyone wanting to better understand hospice care. Be sure to tune in next week for part two as we talk about the emotional and spiritual sides of hospice care—the fears, the misconceptions, and the ways hospice helps both patients and families find peace through the end-of-life journey.