Five New Episodes Now Available on Ending Life Well Podcast

Ending Life Well is designed to help carers who have been thrown in the deep end caring for loved ones who are dying.

Launched last year, the series has had 5000 downloads to date.

CEO Ginny Green says supporting this huge workforce of carers – unpaid, untrained and in unchartered territory - is one of Hospice's most important roles as a specialist provider. 

"It has been very satisfying to see the success of the podcast as those downloads keep happening across the motu. It’s specifically built around those particular challenges when looking after someone who is dying and the complexities that can arise. We only hope that it is providing really great information, in an extremely accessible format, to those who are facing some of the toughest times in life."

The new episodes are:

Ep 18: Relationships and Intimacy at the End of Life
The power of touch, connection and intimacy during this journey can be significant to both carer and patient. We shares some ideas to help you sustain your relationship.

Ep 19: Children and Grief
We often want to protect children from grief, but this is not always possible, or desirable. Children need to be supported to process their grief in an age appropriate way. We share some suggestions for how to best meet the needs of your child.

Ep 20: Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults Going Through Grief
Teenagers and young adults might already find life complicated, so adding in loss and grief can be especially challenging. Maintaining relationships is a key starting point to supporting them through this time.

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.

Ending Life Well was created by palliative nurse Denise van Aalst, with the support of the specialist palliative care team at Otago Community Hospice and Hospice New Zealand. It provides reliable advice and information for carers who may not have the time or headspace to read the on-line resources available to carers. 

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.

Please share the link below and information about the podcast with your team members and community. This podcast can be a very helpful resource for all. https://otagohospice.co.nz/patient-services/kowhai-programme/carers-podcast/