Hospice Podcast Helping Carers Throughout Otago & the World

The podcast was created to provide accessible information for family carers who have been thrown in the deep end caring for loved ones who are dying.

Supporting this huge workforce of carers – unpaid, untrained and in uncharted territory, is one of our most important roles as a specialist provider, says palliative specialist nurse and podcast producer Denise van Aalst.

“With this podcast series we can provide reliable advice and information for carers who may not have the time or headspace to read the on-line resources available to carers. It enables us to share our knowledge – our tricks of the trade - with family carers who may be well out of their depth as they go about caring for a loved one who is dying.”

There are now 29 episodes, with recent episodes diving into areas like Can We Talk?– Opening Up Conversations About Dying with UK specialist Dr Kathryn Mannix, whose practical experience shows that whether we like it or not, sometimes we have to take a deep breath and get into a conversation that we might have preferred to avoid. Also, an episode with Dr Ira Byock –  a palliative care physician from the USA and author of “The Four Things That Matter Most" – who talks about the power of the phrases “Please forgive me,” “I forgive you,” “Thank you,” and “I love you” —  to mend and nurture our relationships and inner lives. Other new episodes include topics such as Relationships and Intimacy at the End of Life, Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults Going Through Grief, Moving Into Aged Care - Practical Tips and Dementia with Dignity.

Ending Life Well has been informed by the Kōwhai Programme - a well-established Otago Community Hospice carers education programme - created in response to research done with carers of people with terminal illness, in collaboration with the University of Otago in 2010. 

The series is available on all good podcast apps or via https://otagohospice.co.nz/patient-services/kowhai-programme/carers-podcast/

RECENT EPISODES

Ep 21: Moving Into Aged Care - Practical Tips
Having to transition into aged care is a challenge many of us will face. We explore very practical tips and ideas to make this transition easier.

Ep 22: Moving Into Aged Care - The Emotional Impact
When someone we care for moves into aged care it can have an impact on us as well as the person moving in. This episode identifies some of the ways this can surface, and tips for dealing with the challenges ahead.

Ep 23 - Can We Talk? Opening Up Conversations About Dying

We often find when someone is dying they or their family struggle to talk about it. People may be reluctant to start a conversation or they may want to talk but just don't know how. This interview with Dr Kathryn Mannix shares some stories from her own experiences and offers ways to initiate a conversation, or perhaps a way to be comfortable with letting that conversation go.

Ep 24 - Helping Someone Move Safely

When we are caring for another person we often need to help them move around. This episode offers some advice on some of the things you can do to protect yourself while helping them to move between furniture, or in a bed, safely. (Video available)

Ep 25 - Life Stories and Other Memory Gifts

Writing a biography is one way of celebrating a life that can bring pleasure to both the person telling their story and to those who treasure the record they have to remember them by. This episode explains why this can mean so much and offers tips on how to go about recording someone's story.

Ep 26 - Four Things to Say When Someone is Dying

“Please forgive me,” “I forgive you,” “Thank you,” and “I love you” — carry enormous power to mend and nurture our relationships and inner lives.  In this conversation, Dr Ira Byock, palliative care physician from the USA and the author of "The Four Things That Matter Most", explains how we can practice these phrases in our day to day lives and the impact they can have.  

Ep 27 Whānau Manaaki

Māori know what's right for their own whānau and care for their whānau beautifully. However, for some there may be a disconnection from their whakapapa,