Demystifying Palliative and Hospice Care

LightAtTheEnd.com is a resource for those who want to learn more about end-of-life topics, but don't know where to start.

In our first LightAtTheEnd.com Podcast episode, founder and host Kevin Berk talks to Dr. Jeffrey Stoneberg, Medical Director of Palliative Care at Sutter Health in Sacramento, CA. We delve into the essentials of palliative care, what to expect when getting started, and how it can significantly improve quality of life for patients and their families. We also cover the importance of advance directives in depth, as well as what a transition to hospice means for those who need it.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to LightAtTheEnd.com Podcast
• 0:42 Understanding Palliative Care
• 1:44 Differences Between Palliative Care and Hospice
• 5:41 Addressing Stigmas and Misconceptions
• 6:13 The Role of Hospice in End-of-Life Care
• 14:30 Personal Experiences and Insights
• 19:24 Palliative Care Team and Their Roles
• 21:44 Referral Process and Criteria
• 30:31 Palliative Care Settings: Home vs. Hospital
• 32:51 First Steps in Palliative Care
• 35:14 Advanced Care Planning and Directives
• 36:53 Personal Story: Implementing advance directives
• 39:09 Challenges in Family Decision-Making
• 43:18 Role of Family in Palliative Care
• 46:37 Managing Caregiver Burnout
• 49:56 Transitioning to Assisted Living and Hospice
• 56:15 Legal Documents and POLST Forms
• 1:01:14 Final Thoughts on Palliative Care