159 Innovative Tools for Dementia Care - An Interview with Angela Fairhurst of Geri-Gadgets
Release Date: 07/27/2025
171 Understanding the Role of End-of-Life Doulas with Peter M. Abraham RN
Hospice Explained
Understanding the Role of End-of-Life Doulas with Peter M. Abraham RN In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN is joined by returning guest Peter Abraham, a registered nurse and certified End-of-Life Doula. Peter discusses his journey and the nature of working as an end-of-life doula, highlighting the importance of this role in providing non-medical support to patients and families during the dying process. He also touches on the challenges of operating in an unregulated industry and shares insights from his work on advanced care planning. Marie and Peter discuss the...
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170 Understanding End-of-Life Decisions: The Importance of Hospice Education
Hospice Explained
Understanding End-of-Life Decisions: The Importance of Hospice Education In this episode of 'Hospice Explained,' host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, shares a poignant story about educating a family on the realities of CPR within hospice care. Through a real-life example, Marie emphasizes the importance of understanding hospice care and the end-of-life process. The episode highlights the need for proper communication and realistic expectations regarding life-saving measures like CPR. Marie also encourages listeners to seek further information from resources like...
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169 Understanding Deathbed Phenomena with Alison Potter RN
Hospice Explained
169 Understanding Deathbed Phenomena with Alison Potter RN In episode 169 of 'Hospice Explained,' host Alison Potter, a palliative RN, discusses various end-of-life experiences shared in previous episode number 12 of 'Hospice Encounters.' Alison, who runs grief support seminars and groups in Calgary, shares intriguing stories about deathbed phenomena, a field with scientific backing. These include patients sensing the presence of deceased loved ones or pets offering them comfort in their final moments. The episode emphasizes the importance of being curious and open to these experiences to...
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168 Breaking Taboos: Talking About Death with Gabby Jimenez
Hospice Explained
168 Breaking Taboos: Talking About Death with Gabby Jimenez In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, interviews Gabrielle Jimenez, a hospice and palliative care nurse, end-of-life doula, grief educator, and author. Gabby shares her journey from commercial real estate to nursing, witnessing nearly 2000 last breaths, and discusses the importance of human-centered care in hospice. The episode also covers the challenges and rewards of starting a nursing career later in life, the need for earlier hospice care, and supporting...
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167 Exploring Compassionate Hospice Care with Max Labutin
Hospice Explained
167 Exploring Compassionate Hospice Care with Max Labutin In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN, a former hospice nurse, interviews Max Labutin, founder of Maximum Care Hospice Incorporated. Max shares his journey into hospice care, inspired by personal loss and a calling to provide compassionate, family-centered hospice services. He discusses his company's commitment to high-quality care regardless of patients' socioeconomic backgrounds and highlights the importance of planning ahead for end-of-life care. Max also touches on the spiritual and emotional aspects of...
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166 Rachel Waters' Journey: From Care Giving Tragedy to Legal Advocacy
Hospice Explained
166 Rachel Waters' Journey: From Care Giving Tragedy to Legal Advocacy In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN interviews Rachel Waters. Rachel shares her harrowing journey that began when she was indicted for the death of her mother while she was acting as her caregiver during hospice. Prosecutors alleged she had administered a lethal dose of morphine, leading to charges of murder and the possibility of the death penalty. Rachel describes the 19-month legal and emotional ordeal, the eventual dropping of charges, and how she is now channeling her experience into...
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165 A Rhythm to Remember: Enhancing End-of-Life Care
Hospice Explained
If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link 165 A Rhythm to Remember: Enhancing End-of-Life Care In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN interviews Daniel DeLoma, a hospice chaplain and founder of Meditative Heartbeat Therapy. They discuss how this integrative approach helps patients achieve calm and comfort during end-of-life care. Daniel provides insights into the methods used in heartbeat therapy, its origins, and how it complements traditional care practices. The episode delves into the...
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164 Embracing Life Through Loss: A Conversation with Andy Chaleff
Hospice Explained
164 Embracing Life Through Loss: A Conversation with Andy Chaleff In this insightful episode of Hospice Explained (Episode 164), host Marie Betcher RN interviews Andy Chaleff, an award-winning author and speaker whose work delves into grief, love, and transformation. They discuss Chaleff's book 'Dying to Live,' his personal journey through loss, and the impactful experiences that shaped his writing. Chaleff shares his motivations, the profound loss of his mother, and the transformative power of vulnerability and authenticity. Together, they explore themes of forgiveness, the importance of...
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163 A Pawsitive Journey: Helping Children Understand Hospice
Hospice Explained
A Pawsitive Journey: Helping Children Understand Hospice In episode 163 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN, a former hospice nurse, welcomes back Jean Anne Menna, a certified hospice and palliative nurse. Jean Anne discusses her new children's book, 'A PAWsitive Journey: Duke and Houdini Learn about Hospice Care,' which aims to help children understand hospice care with empathy and hope. The episode also touches on Jean Anne's first book, 'Go With Grace,' and her work as a board member for End of Life Choices, New York. The discussion highlights the importance of making end-of-life...
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162 A Return to Hospice: Embracing the Spiritual Side of End-of-Life Care
Hospice Explained
162 A Return to Hospice: Embracing the Spiritual Side of End-of-Life Care In episode 162 of 'Hospice Explained,' host Marie Betcher RN, a former hospice nurse, returns from a brief hiatus to continue her mission of educating and alleviating fears around end-of-life care. Marie introduces her second podcast, 'Hospice Encounters, Piercing the Veil,' and discusses her intention to explore the spiritual aspects of hospice care alongside the physical and mental aspects. She shares personal stories, including an experience where she felt protected by an unseen presence and an emotional...
info_outline159 Innovative Tools for Dementia Care - An Interview with Angela Fairhurst of Geri-Gadgets
In this episode of Hospice Explained, Marie Betcher interviews Angela Fairhurst, founder and CEO of Geri-Gadgets. Angela shares her journey of creating Geri-Gadgets, a company dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with dementia through safe and sensory tools. Highlighting the importance of meaningful connections, Angela discusses the products she developed inspired by her mother's battle with Lewy body dementia. She also elaborates on the profound impact these tools have on patients and caregivers alike, aiming to reduce the stigma around cognitive decline. Additionally, Angela emphasizes the rewarding nature of her work and the importance of proper care and touch in dementia treatment. Throughout the conversation, the significance of hospice care in easing end-of-life transitions is underscored.
00:00 Introduction to Hospice Explained
00:48 Understanding Pressure Injuries and Cloud Nine Care
01:25 Interview with Angela Fairhurst: Founder of Geri-Gadgets
02:35 Angela's Personal Journey with Dementia
03:01 Experiences with Hospice Care
06:28 Challenges of Dementia Diagnosis and Care
07:39 Angela's Mother's Final Years
10:58 The Impact of Dementia on Family Life
15:34 The Final Days and Hospice Support
16:23 Discovering the Need for Sensory Toys
17:04 Experimenting with Different Toys
17:59 Creating the Sensory Mat
18:44 Developing a Product Line
19:12 The Story of Jeremy
19:34 Designing for the Aging Eye
20:09 Product Features and Benefits
22:11 Market Reception and Reviews
22:30 Challenges and Future Plans
24:06 Global Interest and Expansion
28:39 The Importance of Connection
29:46 The Comfort of Geri-Gadgets
30:39 Making a Difference
31:13 Conclusion and Call to Action
Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information
Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.
Maire introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of the cloud9caresystem.com,
When patients remain in the same position for extended periods, they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode #119)
When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You)
If you would, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice
Marie's Contact
Marie@HospiceExplained.com
www.HospiceExplained.com
Finding a Hospice Agency
1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency,
2. choose Find provider
3. Choose Hospice
4. then add your zip code
This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.