Benjamin Anderson’s Post

"Caregivers are the unsung heroes. They are the hands that comfort, the voices that encourage, and the shoulders that bear the weight of an immense burden." Check out my new blog post: Caregivers: The Unsung Heroes #caregiversupport #caregiversareheroes #caregivercoach #caregivingsupport https://lnkd.in/eWbuY8Vd

Received an email today from a volunteer who’s been with us for a few years now. Last summer, when she was having family discord surrounding her father’s need for Hospice care, she called me and we had a long conversation. Having been a Hospice Volunteer and having seen the wonderful impact on a person’s peace and comfort, she was advocating for hospice for her dad. Her family thought otherwise. “Hospice is a death sentence.” “Hospice overmedicates people to keep them sedated through the dying process.” “Hospice is only for people who have days left.”— have you ever heard these misconceptions? Here’s the truth. Hospice is for comfort. Hospice is pain management and support. Hospice treats pain with limited meds to ensure comfort in transition. Hospice surrounds a family with support in emotional, physical, spiritual, and social ways. Nobody that selects hospice is forced to watch their loved one suffer alone and without support. Most patients live 3-6 months in comfort after their admission to hospice. Some, even longer! This is what my Volunteer knew. This is what I counseled her on. She used this information to advocate for her dad. He passed peacefully in a Hospice House this weekend after a beautiful end-of-life journey. He was comfortable and his spouse was supported through it all. It was a peaceful experience. As a leader in this world, this interaction reminded me, yet again, that misconceptions surrounding the Hospice philosophy are rampant. Education is KEY. Thankful for our army of Hospice and Staff Volunteers that are making a difference with education in this area. Not only within our patient base, but within their own social circles. Uplifted today by this interaction. Hope it put a smile on your face as well. #hospice #hospicecare #support #volunteers #hospicevolunteers #comfort #hosoicestaff #education

Welcome back to this week’s edition of “What’s a Hospice Volunteer?” Today we’re highlighting our amazing Respite/Relief Volunteers! While there are several areas in which to volunteer, our Respite/Relief volunteers hold a special place in our hearts! These volunteers show up to sit with our patients to provide the Care Givers with the support they need when they have an appointment, an errand to run, or simply need to get out of the house. Imagine you are caring for Dad during his end-of-life journey. You organize his care, cook his meals, keep his medication on track, sit with him as he shares his stories & you worry over every detail of his day-to-day needs. This burden is one you carry out of love, and you do it with grace and a smile most days, but the days become long, and the rest becomes infrequent. This is where you might experience what we call “Care Giver Burnout”. When Care Giver Burnout occurs (and it happens to the best of us) this can cause a myriad of complications, not to mention unwanted side effects like anger, guilt & seclusion, just to name a few. But what can be done? Who else is going to do what you do? Here’s the answer… No one can take your place. You are incredibly important in this phase of Dad’s life; however, you are only one person. This is where we come in! We can send one of our amazing volunteers to sit with Dad while you get out of the house. Go watch a movie. Go see friends. Regroup, refresh & refocus. You cannot pour from an empty cup! If you can empathize with this kind of burnout, you might be just the person to help prevent it from happening! For more information on how you can be a part of this life changing service, please reach out to Casey Hickman at (725) 309-0728 or at [email protected] #HospiceVolunteer #RespiteRelief #CaregiverSupport #EndOfLifeCare #VolunteerOpportunity #SupportForCaregivers #CaregiverBurnout

I'm excited to share publicly that with the help of a close friend, now co-founder, and a very experienced operations and education team, we've officially launched Azimuth Healthcare. Our mission, "Love your loved one, and we take care of the rest". - We provide health and wellness navigation for families and their loved ones. - We help families navigate different care and senior living options. - We advocate for families when barriers arise. Some have known that this has been in the works for a while; what many may not know is my WHY. What started as a passion project over the past few years, is now officially launching as a company because there are so many that need help. Here's my WHY... This picture of me, my father, Frank, and my sister, Alison, was taken over four years ago on the day we moved my father into a Veterans home. Our father passed away almost two years ago after having a stroke in 2018 which altered his life and our family's trajectory drastically, akin to one of those wild, almost perilous roller coaster rides that leaves you feeling nauseous when it's over. This journey took us from a hospital ICU to a rehab facility, then to home health, and ultimately to a Veterans home in Eastern Kentucky. At each step, over the course of four years, our family was left with an exhaustive list of follow-ups and tasks, and endless questions. Meanwhile, we juggled raising a family and working full-time jobs. The tipping point that spurred me to launch a company came in the final days when we encountered one of the biggest barriers in our healthcare system: a "narrow network." Those with experience in healthcare will understand precisely what I mean. The hospital where my father received end-of-life care dragged out the discharge process because we refused to use their preferred hospice provider; we wanted our father to spend his remaining time with a hospice provider closer to his hometown. Though they didn't explicitly state that we had only one option, I read between the lines and was utterly infuriated by this obstacle during my father's final days. He never made it to hospice. Whew! I've been holding that in for years, and it feels liberating to share it. However, this is merely one of many challenges we faced along our journey. This particular issue had nothing to do with the exceptional clinical staff at the hospital but rather highlighted a larger flaw within our healthcare system. One that can deprive families of precious quality time with their loved ones in their final days, weeks or months. Whether it's a narrow network or merely not having the time to understand how to navigate this complex system, there are so many challenges to navigate during that precious time. I realized that if someone who has spent their entire career in the healthcare industry could experience this much frustration and lost time, there has to be a better way to serve families and caregivers going through this same process. This is my WHY. ❤️

Robert Witham (He/Him) (Military Veteran) has uncovered a wildly underserved niche and is aiming to transform how families navigate caring for their loved ones. We know first-hand how hard, confusing, time-consuming, and anxiety-provoking it can be to navigate caring for aging parents. And we're not alone... According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Alliance for Caregiving, over 53 million Americans provide care to an aging or disabled family member, with the majority of care recipients being over the age of 50. The economic value of this informal caregiving is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars annually. The need is ubiquitous. The healthcare system is flawed, siloed, and confusing. And a steadily growing percentage of the American population falls into the 50+ age group. There is a huge gap to fill and Azimuth Healthcare aims to do just that.

I wish people knew more about how much hospice helps. It's not just about death and dying. Through my own personal experiences with my father being on hospice, I've come to understand that the caring staff takes care of all your medical worries, so you can focus on spending quality time with your loved one. Just two days ago, a dear friend of mine, who was a therapist and a single mom of three, passed away after a long illness. She had been on hospice for just a week before she passed. It's heartbreaking to see someone go through that, but it pains me that she and her family didn't experience the full benefits of hospice - the physical, emotional, and spiritual care for patients and their families. What most people don't know, research has shown that hospice care can actually help people live longer. By providing the necessary support and managing medical issues, patients can experience a better quality of life. In talking with caregivers, I've heard stories of loved ones finding spiritual and emotional peace during their time on hospice. In some cases, patients have even been discharged from hospice because they've improved under the care of the medical team. Former President Jimmy Carter's is changing the hospice conversation and shattering myths. Carter has been on hospice for over a year and is still cherishing precious moments with his loved ones. Hospice care doesn't signify an end to life, but rather a change in how it's lived. Some of the other benefits of hospice care is the 13 months of bereavement support provided to the family after their loved one passes. And I personally know two hospice chaplains that assist families with funeral arrangements, helping them navigate a difficult time without the added stress of sales pitches from funeral homes. With all the positives of hospice care, it's crucial that we spread the word. It's not about giving up, but rather providing the best care and support for our loved ones. Hospice allows patients to live life to the fullest and brings emotional and spiritual comfort to the entire family. Leave all your medical worries to the caring hospice team, so you can fully focus on cherishing moments with your loved one. RIP, my dear friend, Bedeania Renee! You won't be forgotten! #HospiceCare #QualityTimeWithLovedOnes #hospice #palliativecare #hospicenurse #endoflife #healthcare #seniorcare #elderlycare

Whether seeking a Jewish facility or one that has no specific faith affiliation, there are a lot of factors to consider when a loved one is in need of hospice care. In this article, we share important insight into the role hospice plays in end-of-life care, and what rabbis, caregivers, and others in the deathcare industry should know about its benefits. https://lnkd.in/gzbzyBSm

Dispelling Myths About Hospice Care At Unique Hospice & Palliative Care, we believe in the power of compassionate care and the importance of understanding what hospice truly offers. Jimmy Carter’s journey is a powerful testament to the meaningful moments that hospice care can provide. Former President Jimmy Carter has been in hospice care for 16 months, choosing to spend his final days in his beloved Plains, GA. His grandson, Jason Carter, shared with Southern Living how this time has allowed the family to cherish invaluable moments with their 99-year-old patriarch. Despite common misconceptions, hospice is not about giving up; it’s about enriching the quality of life in a person's final days. Jason mentioned that although Jimmy’s health has declined, the time spent with family and in his community has been profoundly meaningful. Here are some key takeaways from the Carters' experience: *Family and Community: Hospice care has allowed Jimmy Carter to stay connected with his loved ones and his community, even attending memorial events for his late wife, Rosalynn. *Comfort and Dignity: Hospice provides a peaceful environment where individuals can spend their final days in comfort and dignity, surrounded by those they love. *Emotional Support: The emotional and spiritual support offered by hospice care is irreplaceable. As Jason said, “There’s things about the spirit that you just can’t understand,” highlighting the deep emotional impact of these final moments. *Familiar Surroundings: Choosing hospice care at home, as Jimmy did, can provide a sense of peace and familiarity, ensuring that individuals are surrounded by the comforts of their own space. Jimmy Carter’s story is a beautiful reminder that hospice care is about living fully until the end. It’s about love, connection, and peace. Let’s change the narrative around hospice and recognize the profound support it offers to both patients and their families. Learn more about how Unique Hospice can support you and your loved ones through compassionate care. https://uniquehospice.com/ or call 626-335-7077 #HospiceCare #JimmyCarter #EndOfLifeCare #FamilyFirst #UniqueHospice #CompassionateCare #HospiceMyths //https://lnkd.in/gU6-W48N

How have my personal experiences caring for my nan influenced me to start volunteering in a dementia care home? Until January 2020, when she passed, I had cared for my nan with COPD, Addison's Disease, and chronic pain, whether I stayed with her or she with me. Coming from a difficult childhood, she played a crucial role as a parental figure in many aspects of my life. Therefore, her passing deeply impacted my entire family and I. From teaching me to bake and taking me to the Blue Planet aquarium, which fueled my interest in nature, to instilling manners and teaching me how to paint, draw, and sew. Consequently, when it came to applying for a role in a dementia care home, I was drawn to the opportunity to serve those who needed it most with utmost dignity and respect. Thus, I not only took on the role of an assistant but also volunteered with the residents' activities. Why? Because I understand firsthand the struggles of caring for a family member who needs assistance, love, and laughter while facing daily pain and stress. Compassion drives me, whether it's understanding their needs, calming them in stressful situations, or assisting with mobility. As a Christian, I find purpose in serving others. Therefore, I will continue to work in various ways to help those who need it most. How do you serve and help those around you in your life? 🫂 #care #carehomes #health #Caregiving #Volunteering #DementiaCare #PersonalExperience #Compassion #FamilyCare #Service #CaringForOthers #PurposefulLiving

As I watch the numerous posts for ministries for hospice chaplains on Linkedin, and also the numerous posts for toxic workplaces. I encourage employees to purchase my book on how to interview at for-profit hospice companies to ascertain what their real mission is. We know the burnout and toll on our mental health in work environments where the mission morphs into something no one signed on for or suspected. There are many excellent companies; hospice professionals have choices. In Part II and III of my narrative, I assist both hospice consumers and employees in locating a trustworthy hospice company. I give tools and specific questions to illuminate the actual goals of a for-profit hospice and show how too many companies take advantage of their employees, patients, and families to further their own vision for wealth. Blessings on your search. “Surviving Hospice: A Chaplain’s Journey . . . www.hospicehelppro.com