Hospice Quinte: Changing Lives Podcast

Coming to terms with the fact that you are dying can be very difficult. There are a lot of emotions that a person goes through as they try to understand that something they once may have thought was a far off event is now at their doorstep. Everything from spending as much time with your loved ones as possible to potentially completing goals that may have been pushed to the wayside are common thin...

Since 1985, Hospice Quinte has been providing much needed support to the terminally ill, their caregivers, and those struggling with the challenges of grief, and from here, we are only seeking to do more! Hear all about how Hospice Quinte started and where it is today on this week's episode.  Support the show Listen on 91x FM You can listen to episodes of "Changing Lives"  on 91x FM...

The importance of self-care when caring for others is essential. How often have you heard phrases like “You cannot give from an empty cup”? Yet all too often we do not take the necessary steps to fill our own cup. Learn all about the importance of caring for yourself when you are caring for others in this week's episode. Support the show Listen on 91x FM You can listen to episodes of "Ch...

 If you have ever flown on an aircraft, you may recall the oxygen mask demonstration and the instructions to put your own mask on first before attempting to assist other passengers. As a society we are more likely to follow directions than to ask others for help. In 2018, Stats Canada reported that as many as 1 in 4 Canadians provide care for family members and friends who have a long-term conditi...

It’s a regular occurrence that people ask how much it costs to access the services at Hospice Quinte. Those people are often surprised to learn that everything is completely free of charge for the end-of-life care we provide, as well as other services like our bereavement support groups. It’s 100% free to come to the Stan Klemencic Care Centre or have hospice services in your own home. Find out mo...

It’s no secret that death is not an easy thing to talk about. In fact, it’s a topic that is so often avoided, many people have some incorrect perceptions around the process of dying. Not having the right information can make what is already a tough time to go through even more difficult. Learn more about some common misconceptions around death on this week's episode. Support the show Listen o...

Vigil planning may not be top of mind for patients and their families in the early stages of receiving palliative care services. However, discussing vigil planning can be a part of your advance care planning process. The vigiling process ensures that the person is not alone while making their transition from life to death. Find out how to plan a vigil and more in this week's episode. Support...

Receiving a diagnosis of a life-limiting or terminal illness can be devastating and can send patients and their families into a state of despair and hopelessness.  Planning for end-of-life care may seem overwhelming, but many services are available to help people live well during the terminal phase of an illness. A phone call to your local hospice is all it takes to receive helpful advice, an empa...

Special days and holidays can sometimes trigger memories and difficult emotions in individuals who have experienced the loss of a loved one.   For those who have lost a spouse or partner, Valentine's Day can feel particularly cruel because of its emphasis on togetherness, love, and romance. And, just like Halloween and Christmas, with all the lead up marketing and in-store merchandise display...

What would happen if you were diagnosed with a terminal illness? Where and how would you like to live out the rest of your life? If you and your family have decided that you wish to die at home, then accessing the proper resources and services will lessen some of the potential strain of caregiving. You may desire to have an in-home hospice visiting volunteer to provide you and your family with pal...

Everyone who experiences loss will grieve differently, and children of course are no exception.  The primary difference in adult versus child grief is the way in which the grieving process is demonstrated, leaving adults who care for grieving children at times confused and worried that somehow their child isn’t grieving normally.  The way children respond to death is different from adults which ma...

It’s common for people to experience a change in their sleeping pattern in the days, weeks and months following the loss of a loved one.  If you were a caregiver prior to the loss, then this sleeplessness can be intensified.  People who are grieving may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.  On the other end of the spectrum, grievers may find it difficult to stay awake.  Sleep patterns ca...

 Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz said it best – “there’s no place like home”.  For most of us, home is where we want to be. It’s where our creature comforts are, where we feel most content and happy, and it’s where our friends and family come to visit. It’s natural, then, that some individuals who are experiencing their end of life want to spend their last days and moments at home. Learn more about...

When you have lost a loved one and need some help, there are options.  You might seek support from family or friends, find a book that provides some comfort, or you might find that you need something more.   A bereavement support group offers support and connection that comes from being with people who have also experienced the loss of a loved one.  Bereavement support groups provide emotional sup...

Caregiving is a challenging and rewarding part of many people’s lives.  Caregivers face many adversities, with unknowns, stressors and worries being a normal part of the caregiving journey.  The mental health and wellbeing of caregivers however is often overlooked.  This is an issue that caregivers and the organizations that support them are acknowledging and trying to address.  With approximately...

Many non-profit organizations could not survive without the assistance provided by loyal volunteers. In fact, a report by Volunteer Canada revealed that Baby Boomers and Senior Adults provided more than 1 billion volunteer hours in 2010! Clearly volunteering provides non-profits and charities a wealth of expertise, which allows these organizations to provide a multitude of services for free or a v...

Even though caregiving is often thought of as a role assumed primarily by women, a recent survey found that 44% of caregivers are men.  Like their female counterparts, approximately 3.4 million male caregivers face tremendous challenges as they simultaneously try to balance work and raise a family with the physical and emotional demands of helping an ailing or aging loved one.  Find out more about...

** Please note:  this podcast mentions the April 2022 Advance Care Planning workshop offered by Hospice Quinte, which has now been completed ** Imagine for a moment that you were not able to speak for yourself. Who would you want to make decisions on your behalf? Do your family or friends know what your end-of-life wishes are? Many people think that because they have a will and perhaps even pre-pl...

There is a question that often surfaces in the hospice environment:   How much should we involve children in dying process family members?  And that leads to another eventual question - at what age is it appropriate for children to attend funerals? Family members struggle with both of these questions.  And different cultures in our world address the topics from opposite perspectives.  How do you k...

*** Please Note: This Content May Contain Information Regarding Programs That Are No Longer Offered by Hospice Quinte *** In 2020 Hospice Quinte introduced two new programs – Bereavement Companionship and Caregiver Companionship.  Often, people who are caring for someone with a terminal illness don’t have the time or energy to come to a support group.  The Caregiver Companionship program allows ca...

As our loved ones approach the final stages of life comfort care and quality of life become the top priorities.  It is also a time that we must listen carefully to our loved ones, taking their cues to determine what their greatest needs and concerns are.  Human nature compels us to nurture our loved ones in many ways, feeding being one method - however it is important to recognize that nutrition a...

Hospice palliative care is made up of two parts – hospice care and palliative care.  Palliative, or comfort, care is appropriate for people of any age and at any stage of a serious illness.  Hospice care is generally for those who have twelve or fewer months to live and who are no longer receiving active curative treatment.  Hospice palliative care combines those two philosophies.  Hospice Quinte...

As a new caregiver, or even a caregiver of many years, navigating the system in hospice palliative care can be hard to do.  Knowing how to navigate the path will not only help you to understand the services available and how to access them but will also help you advocate for the person you are caring for.  Find out how to navigate the hospice palliative care system in this week's Changing Liv...

Special days and holidays can sometimes trigger memories and difficult emotions in individuals who have experienced the loss of a loved one. For those who have lost a spouse or partner, Valentine's Day can feel particularly cruel because of its emphasis on togetherness, love, and romance. This week's Changing Lives Podcast focuses on coping with grief during Valentine's Day. Listen...

According to Statistics Canada, in 2018 an estimated 25 percent of the population provided some form of long-term caregiving to a loved one. As those with illness face multiple losses and grief, and adjustments to a different life routine, so do caregivers.  Caregivers may face losses such as the loss of a job, broken or challenging relationships, and having to learn to adjust to new caregiving ro...