Hospice Uncovered

Shanna

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All about hospice

10h ago

Combat Medic to Caregiver: Tony's Mission to Serve Veterans Through Hospice

Tony, a Vietnam combat medic, shares his profound journey from the battlefields of Southeast Asia to founding a military support program that has changed countless veteran lives. In this episode of Hospice Uncovered, Tony opens up about volunteering at BAMC, his transformative relationship with Eden Pearl—the most critically injured soldier in military history—and how that experience shaped his approach to veteran care at Warm Springs Rehab. He discusses the power of simply listening to veterans, preventing suicide through human connection, and the ripple effects of showing genuine care. Tony reveals why he volunteered for Vietnam at just 18 years old, what he witnessed upon arrival, and how his combat medic training became the foundation for his life's calling in hospice and veteran services. His stories illustrate how one person's decision to serve can alter the trajectory of entire families and communities. Subscribe to Hospice Uncovered to hear more conversations about life, death, love, and the beauty of serving others well. 00:00 Opening Reflection: Combat Medic's Call to Service 03:45 Grounding Exercise: Breathwork and Presence 05:30 Introduction to Hospice Uncovered Philosophy 07:15 How Tony and the Host Met: Warm Springs Rehab 09:45 Meeting Eden Pearl: The Most Critically Injured Soldier 13:20 The Warrior Family Support Center Connection 15:30 Alyssa's Determination to Become a Nurse 17:45 First Visit to the Burn Unit 20:15 Building Friendship and Wooden Picnic Tables 22:30 Reconnection at Warm Springs Rehab 24:50 Eden Pearl Wing Dedication 26:45 Lessons in Caring and Compassion 28:30 Other Veterans: Troy Dreberstedt's Journey to Faith 31:00 Lieutenant Spears: Lightning Strike and Recovery 34:15 Why Tony Joined the Military in 1970 36:30 JFK's Call to Service and Family Values 38:45 Volunteering for Vietnam 40:20 The Reality of Arrival: First Night in Vietnam 42:15 Combat Medic Training and Field Experience 44:45 Coming Home at 21: The Toll of Combat
Oct 6

Breaking the Silence: Suicide Prevention, Warning Signs, and How to Save a Life

Hospice Uncovered tackles one of the most critical conversations in healthcare with guests Dr. Ivan Edwards, a physician and flight surgeon, and Dan Blasini, a nurse and veteran who lost three friends to suicide within eight days during Suicide Prevention Month. Together, they explore why discussing suicide remains taboo, the multiple causes of depression including trauma, neuroplasticity, genetics, and cortisol exposure, and practical strategies for recognizing warning signs and intervening. The episode includes a powerful personal account of talking down an amputee from taking his own life and emphasizes how community support and professional help can transform lives. Essential resources are shared, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and VA crisis services available 24/7. Subscribe for more honest conversations about end-of-life care and mental health. 00:00 Welcome and Emergency Resources 01:15 Introducing Dan Blasini and Personal Motivation 04:20 Introducing Dr. Ivan Edwards 05:35 Defining Suicide Prevention in Everyday Life 07:40 Why Discussing Suicide Remains Difficult 11:20 Depression vs. Clinical Depression 13:50 The Research Behind Depression: Neuroplasticity, Genetics, and Trauma 18:15 Addressing the Misconceptions About Medication 20:50 Professional Help vs. Community Support 22:40 The Power of Simply Being Present 24:10 A Life-Saving Intervention at the Train Tracks 30:15 The Aftermath and Transformation 32:00 The Ripple Effect: Impact Beyond the Individual
Sep 29

What If We Called Hospice Something Else? Reframing End-of-Life Care Through Language

Shanna and Rachel explore how the word "hospice" carries heavy emotional baggage and misconceptions that prevent families from embracing compassionate end-of-life care. Through honest conversation, they examine the negative imagery and fear associated with the term—and discuss alternative names like "life comfort care," "quality of life care," and "compassionate care" that better reflect what hospice actually provides. The hosts trace the word's origins to "home" and "hospitality," reframing hospice as an opportunity for peace, connection, and meaningful time rather than a death sentence. They address the critical gap between how doctors present hospice and how families hear it, and reveal how even healthcare professionals distance themselves from these conversations. This episode challenges listeners to recognize that language shapes our experience and that changing how we talk about end-of-life care can transform how families receive it. Subscribe to Hospice Uncovered for more conversations that shift perspectives on life's final chapter. 00:00 Opening Grounding Exercise 02:28 The Problem With the Word "Hospice" 05:14 Negative Imagery and Fear Surrounding Hospice 08:45 Immediate Resistance to Hospice Conversations 11:22 Making Hospice a Compassionate, Hopeful Word 13:56 Alternative Names for Hospice Care 17:34 The Origins of "Hospice": Home and Hospitality 20:18 Hospice as an Opportunity for Meaningful Living 24:07 Nature Metaphors: Trees, Seasons, and Sunsets 29:41 Reframing the Doctor's Conversation With Patients 33:25 The Power of Words in Shaping Experience 35:18 Healthcare Workers' Own Resistance to End-of-Life Discussions 38:02 Language as the Real Problem, Not the Concept
Sep 22

Navigating Care Levels: When It's Time to Move Mom Out of the House

Rachel and Shanna welcome Kimmy, a healthcare veteran with years of experience in senior care, to break down the confusing world of care options for aging loved ones. When a patient's wife reaches out about moving her husband into assisted living, the conversation shifts to exploring personal care services, assisted living communities, memory care facilities, and the often-overlooked VA benefits available to veterans and their spouses. Kimmy shares real-world obstacles families face—including Medicaid eligibility gaps and out-of-pocket costs—while offering practical guidance on networking and finding resources. The episode also covers inpatient rehabilitation after falls, what Medicare actually covers, and how managed care plans determine approval for extended care. Whether you're facing a parent's fall, considering in-home support, or planning for the future, this episode equips you with the knowledge to navigate the system. Subscribe to Hospice Uncovered for more conversations that demystify end-of-life care and senior support options. 00:00 Opening and Guest Introduction 02:15 Grounding Exercise and Gratitude 06:45 Valuing Quality Time With Aging Parents 08:30 Technology and Medical Innovations 10:15 The Importance of Support Systems 12:00 Intentional Time With Loved Ones 14:30 Marriage, Love, and 50 Years Together 17:45 Different Levels of Care Overview 19:20 Personal Care Provider Services Through Medicaid 21:15 Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities 23:00 Obstacles: Medicaid Eligibility and Out-of-Pocket Costs 24:45 VA Benefits for Veterans and Spouses 27:30 VA Companion Services and Human Connection 29:15 COVID's Impact on Senior Decline 31:00 Falls and Inpatient Rehabilitation 33:45 What Inpatient Rehab Actually Entails 36:15 Medicare Coverage and Therapy Requirements 38:30 Appeals Process for Extended Care Days 40:15 Understanding Managed Care Plans 42:00 Medicare's Role in Aging in Place 44:30 Different Levels of Medicare-Covered Care
Sep 15

After They're Gone: Understanding Grief and Bereavement in Hospice Care

In this episode of Hospice Uncovered, host Shanna is joined by Douglas, director of clinical services and chaplain, and Rachel, community liaison, to explore the profound journey of bereavement and grief that follows a loved one's passing. Douglas shares his expertise on how grief differs dramatically depending on whether a death was anticipated or sudden, drawing on personal experiences including the loss of his father to cancer and his beloved German Shepherd, Leonidas. The team discusses the critical difference between knowing death will happen intellectually and experiencing the emotional reality of loss, the importance of pre-bereavement education, and why support often becomes most crucial in the months following a funeral when the full weight of finality sets in. A powerful conversation about honoring those we've lost and the ongoing role hospice teams play in family healing. 00:00 Opening Grounding Exercise 02:15 Welcome and Episode Focus 03:30 Introduction to Bereavement Topics 04:20 The Difference Between Anticipated and Sudden Loss 06:45 Douglas Shares His Father's Cancer Journey 08:10 The Trauma of Unexpected Death 10:25 Knowing vs. Understanding Death 12:40 The Hezekiah Story and Preparation 15:50 Grief Despite Preparation 17:30 Douglas's Personal Loss of Leonidas 19:45 The Importance of Post-Hospice Support 21:30 The Funeral and the Decline That Follows 24:15 The Team's First Patient and Unexpected Grief 26:30 Hospice Care as a Calling 28:10 Guilt and Grief Together 29:45 Supporting Families Through Loss 31:20 Sacred Moments After Death 33:00 The Chaplain's Role in Ministry to Families
Sep 1

What Hospice Has Taught Me About Living: Intentionality Over Ambition

In this episode of Hospice Uncovered, the hosts explore one of hospice care's most profound lessons: how to truly live. Through candid conversations and patient stories, they discuss why intentionality matters more than productivity, why no one on their deathbed wishes they worked harder, and how society's messaging around hustle culture can rob us of meaningful moments with loved ones. The episode features powerful examples—from a farmer with dementia who lit up talking about his tractor, to a marathon runner whose family honored her legacy—that illustrate what makes a life worth remembering. The hosts dive deep into the concept of vision-driven living, sharing personal anecdotes about making intentional choices, like setting aside 30 minutes to sit with a child instead of staying in constant motion. They challenge the notion that we're inherently wired to climb the ladder, examining instead how society conditions us to prioritize more money, more status, and more stuff at the expense of genuine human connection. This episode serves as a gentle but urgent reminder that our daily choices should align with our deepest values, and that the time to live intentionally is now. 00:00 Opening Grounding Exercise 02:45 Welcome and Episode Theme: What Hospice Taught Us About Living 04:15 Intentionality as a Way of Life 06:30 The Diversity of Hospice Patients Across All Walks of Life 09:15 Awakening to Your One Beautiful Life 11:45 The Story of the Farmer and His Tractor 14:30 Legacy Through Small Moments: The Marathon Runner 16:45 Nobody Ever Wishes They Worked Harder 19:30 Family as the Driver: Working for Stability and Legacy 22:15 The Cost of Hustle Culture on Relationships 25:00 Creating Intentional Memories Daily 27:30 Personal Story: 30 Minutes with Your Child 31:00 Unintentional Living and Its Consequences 34:15 Are We Wired to Hustle or Conditioned by Society 37:45 Vision-Driven Living and Aligned Choices 40:30 Common Regrets: Time and Slowing Down 43:15 Why We Talk Ourselves Out of Meaningful Moments 46:00 Self-Worth and Permission to Prioritize People Over Productivity
Aug 25

The Financial Burden of Dying: Planning Beyond the Grief

Shanna and Rachel explore one of life's most avoided conversations—the financial costs of death and end-of-life planning. Through a touching patient reunion story that culminated in coordinating cremation services, they discuss the practical realities families face when unprepared: cremation costs ($1,000-$1,500), burial expenses (up to $10,000+), funeral services, and the cascade of decisions that must be made under time pressure and emotional distress. The hosts break down essential questions every family should ask before a crisis strikes: Do you have life insurance? Where do you want to be buried? Who holds power of attorney? Are you a veteran with available benefits? This episode reframes end-of-life planning not as morbid, but as an act of protection and love for your family. Subscribe to Hospice Uncovered for more conversations that transform how we think about death, dying, and legacy. 00:00 Opening and Grounding Exercise 02:15 Why Grounding Matters Before Important Conversations 03:30 Today's Topic: The Financial Burden of Dying 05:00 A Patient Reunification Story 09:45 The Son's Final Words and Goodbye 11:30 Coordinating Cremation Services 12:45 Cremation Costs Versus Burial Expenses 14:30 Why Families Avoid End-of-Life Financial Planning 16:15 The Consequences of Not Planning Ahead 17:45 Essential Questions Every Family Should Ask 19:30 Life Insurance, Wills, and Power of Attorney 21:00 Veteran Benefits and Final Wishes 22:15 Reframing the Conversation: Protection, Not Morbidity 24:00 Personal Accountability and Why Age Doesn't Matter 25:30 Closing Thoughts on Preparation and Planning
Aug 18

The Last Conversation: Love, Forgiveness, and Saying Goodbye in Hospice

The hosts reflect on hospice teamwork during tense end-of-life moments, including a recent patient death and a patient returning home from the hospital, emphasizing how their interdisciplinary team shows up with compassion and practical support. They discuss why there is “never a perfect death” or “perfect goodbye,” and how families can approach the final conversation with a loved one by expressing love, gratitude, forgiveness, and peace. They explore why people delay saying “I love you” or “I’m sorry,” the regrets most often seen in hospice, and how unspoken wounds can heal through honest, humble dialogue. They offer simple prompts and four key phrases—“please forgive me,” “I forgive you,” “thank you,” and “I love you”—and encourage viewers to be intentional now, not later, closing with Matthew 6:14 and 1 Peter 4:8. 00:00 Grateful for the Team 00:40 Showing Up for Families 01:12 A Hospice Team Story 02:50 Making Music Therapy Happen 03:23 No Typical Day 04:03 The Last Conversation 06:41 Facing Generational Hurt 09:34 If Today Was the Last Day 10:12 Saying Goodbye in Practice 11:43 Why We Wait to Speak 16:30 Regret and What’s Unsaid 18:16 Speaking Life to Loved Ones 20:57 Seeking Forgiveness 24:50 What Forgiveness Is Not 25:28 No Forgetting Pain 26:26 Four Healing Phrases 27:37 Saying Goodbye Matters 28:57 Hospice Paradigm Shift 30:23 What To Say 32:31 Share Their Impact 34:44 Personal Dad Regrets 38:31 Peaceful Bedside Presence 41:03 Estranged Daughter Story 45:36 Lessons From Hospice 48:52 Make The Call Today 50:07 Scripture On Forgiveness

All about hospice

Creator

Shanna
Years Active

2026
Episodes

17
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 Hospice Uncovered
Show Website

Hospice Uncovered