Hospice – Episode 126: Purpose with Mark Bertrang, Author/Investments Don’t Hug

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: