What happens when we stop avoiding conversations about death and start talking about what matters most? In this episode, Andrew Karesa sits down with Lisa Pahl, licensed clinical social worker, end-of-life educator, healthcare and death doula, and CEO of The Death Deck, to explore why some of life’s most difficult conversations may also be the most important. Drawing on nearly two decades of hospice experience and her own family’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease, Lisa shares why planning ahead is one of the greatest gifts we can give the people we love. She reflects on caring for her grandmother with dementia, the lessons she learned supporting her mother-in-law through cancer, and how those experiences inspired the creation of The Death Deck, The End-of-Life Deck, and The Dementia Deck. Together, Andrew and Lisa discuss why families often avoid conversations about dementia and death, what happens when those discussions never occur, and how uncertainty can lead to conflict, guilt, and second-guessing during some of life’s hardest moments. They also explore hospice care, advance care planning, preserving personhood, caregiver support, and why preparing for the future is not about giving up hope but about giving families clarity. This is a conversation about dementia, caregiving, hospice, family, grief, personhood, and the courage to have conversations before a crisis forces them. In this episode: • Why conversations about death should happen long before a crisis • The lessons she learned caring for her grandmother with Alzheimer’s disease • How families can prepare for difficult healthcare decisions • Why preserving personhood matters throughout dementia • What to look for when choosing a hospice provider • Why advance care planning is a gift to your family • How The Dementia Deck helps families start difficult conversations • Why talking about death can help us live more intentionally Whether you are caring for a parent, spouse, grandparent, friend, neighbour, or someone living with dementia, this conversation is a reminder that none of us can predict the future. But by having honest conversations today, we can help the people we love face tomorrow with greater confidence, compassion, and peace. Learn more at: https://www.bluebellvillage.ca https://thedeathdeck.com/ ——— Join The Village and help shape conversations like this by submitting questions to our guests: https://www.patreon.com/cw/blueBellVillage ——— Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Andrew Karesa, blueBell Village Ltd., or any of its employees, contractors, or team members.
