159 Innovative Tools for Dementia Care - An Interview with Angela Fairhurst of Geri-Gadgets
Release Date: 07/27/2025
161 Taking a Pause: Reflecting on Five Years of Hospice Education
Hospice Explained
161 Taking a Pause: Reflecting on Five Years of Hospice Education In this episode of 'Hospice Explained,' host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse with a background in hospice care, discusses the purpose of the podcast and its aim to educate and alleviate fears about hospice and end-of-life care. Marie shares a heartfelt message from a listener named Dorian, expressing gratitude for the podcast's impactful guidance. Marie announces a temporary break from weekly recordings and updates on guest submissions. She encourages listeners to leave reviews and share the podcast, ending with a blessing for...
info_outline
160 Transforming End-of-Life Care: The International Doula Life Movement with Anna Adams
Hospice Explained
160 Transforming End-of-Life Care: The International Doula Life Movement with Anna Adams In episode 160 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN, interviews Anna Adams, a seasoned professional with over 25 years in hospice and elder care. Anna, a certified end-of-life doula and founder of the International Doula Life Movement (IDLM), shares her journey of establishing IDLM, a global initiative aimed at training and supporting end-of-life doulas. The episode delves into the comprehensive educational programs IDLM offers, emphasizing the importance of community, support, and continuous...
info_outline
159 Innovative Tools for Dementia Care - An Interview with Angela Fairhurst of Geri-Gadgets
Hospice Explained
159 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...
info_outline
158 Exploring Hospice Care and the Legacy of Poet Andrea Werblin Reid
Hospice Explained
158 Exploring Hospice Care and the Legacy of Poet Andrea Werblin Reid In episode 158 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, RN, interviews Sarah Sawyer, a writer, artist, musician, and chaplain. Sarah shares her journey of friendship with Andrea 'Andi' Werblin Reid, her experiences with hospice care, and the unique role of psychedelics in managing end-of-life anxiety. Andi, a poet who passed away from ovarian cancer, left manuscripts of over 150 poems that Sarah and a group of friends have worked to publish posthumously. The episode discusses the process and significance of publishing...
info_outline
157 Understanding Hospice Care with Hospital Chaplain Janice Willett Part 2
Hospice Explained
157 Understanding Hospice Care with Hospital Chaplain Janice Willett Part 2 In this episode of 'Hospice Explained,' host Marie Betcher RN, a former hospice nurse, interviews Janice Willett, a hospital spiritual care chaplain and author of several inspirational books. Janice shares her experiences and insights into end-of-life care, discussing her books 'Affairs of the Heart,' 'Dying Without Crying,' and 'Bye-Bye Butterfly.' These books offer guidance and support for patients, caregivers, and children dealing with grief and loss. The episode also touches on the importance of comfort,...
info_outline
156 Understanding Hospice Care with Hospital Chaplain Janice Willett
Hospice Explained
156 Understanding Hospice Care with Hospital Chaplain Janice Willett In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, RN, interviews Janice Willett, a hospital spiritual care chaplain and author of several books on grief and end-of-life preparation. They discuss the role of chaplains in providing emotional and spiritual support to patients and families, the importance of creating a sacred space for sharing emotions, and common challenges faced by caregivers. Janice shares personal stories of her experiences in hospital chaplaincy, including the significance of spiritual guidance...
info_outline
155 Navigating Life and Death: An Interview with Author Sandy Doyle part 2
Hospice Explained
155 Navigating Life and Death: An Interview with Author Sandy Doyle part 2 In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN discusses the complexities of end-of-life care and grief with author Sandy Doyle. They explore Sandy's experiences in the death care industry, highlighting the psychological impacts on families, the importance of planning for end-of-life arrangements, and some unusual but poignant anecdotes from Sandy's career. The episode also emphasizes the importance of seeking professional medical advice and planning ahead to alleviate the burden on loved ones....
info_outline
154 Life and Stories from the Cemetery: An Interview with Author Sandy Doyle
Hospice Explained
154 Life and Stories from the Cemetery: An Interview with Author Sandy Doyle In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN, a former hospice nurse, interviews Sandy Doyle, author of 'My Life at the Cemetery: It's Not As Dead As You Think'. Sandy shares her remarkable experiences from her 12-year career in the death care industry. She recounts intriguing stories about managing funerals, dealing with grief, and the surprising aspects of working in a cemetery. The discussion also delves into the spiritual encounters and coincidences she's witnessed, adding a unique perspective to...
info_outline
153 Understanding the Hero Generation: Empowering Caregivers with Nicole àBeckett
Hospice Explained
153 Understanding the Hero Generation: Empowering Caregivers with Nicole àBeckett In this episode of Hospice Explained, Marie Betcher, RN interviews Nicole àBeckett, founder of Hero Generation. Nicole shares her personal journey as a caregiver to her parents, which inspired her to create Hero Generation—a platform designed to support caregivers with tools, resources, and a community. They discuss the importance of collaboration in caregiving, the benefits of using digital resources and AI, and the significance of having a supportive community. Nicole also details how Hero Generation...
info_outline
152 The Importance of Rest and Laughter in Hospice Care
Hospice Explained
152 The Importance of Rest and Laughter in Hospice Care In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, emphasizes the importance of rest and laughter for caregivers and families navigating the end-of-life season. Marie discusses the need for periodic breaks and introduces listeners to the Cloud Nine care system for preventing pressure injuries. She shares practical tips for incorporating rest, prayer, and humor into daily routines. Marie also hints at an upcoming episode featuring Nicole, a founder of Hero Generation. Listeners are...
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
[email protected]
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.