177 Hospice, Caregiving, and Long-Term Care Planning with Raymond Lavine
Release Date: 03/01/2026
181 Feeling Supported and Prepared for Death on Hospice
Hospice Explained
181 Feeling Supported and Prepared for Death on Hospice In episode 181 of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, shares a listener story about a new nurse who felt unsupported and unprepared for his mother’s death on hospice and still carries a negative memory 16 years later. Marie reflects on the need for hospice staff to assess families’ education and experience levels, ask leading questions, clearly explain what to expect, and ensure people know who to call and feel safe doing so. She also shares her own experience with her oldest brother’s...
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180 Hospice Buddy: Practical Symptom Support, Caregiver Logbooks, and Grounding Prompts with Jamie Haberman RN
Hospice Explained
180 Hospice Buddy: Practical Symptom Support, Caregiver Logbooks, and Grounding Prompts with Jamie Haberman RN Host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, interviews returning guest Jamie Haberman RN, a hospice nurse with nearly 20 years of end-of-life experience and founder of Hospice Buddy. Jamie describes her hospice background and explains Hospice Buddy as a caregiver support platform offering free resources, a Facebook support group, and paid one-on-one support calls. She outlines her publications: six caregiver logbooks designed for the six-month hospice...
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179 Hospice Is About Living: Honest Conversations, Palliative vs. Hospice, and Supporting Nurses with Gina Harris MSN, MSQT
Hospice Explained
179 Hospice Is About Living: Honest Conversations, Palliative vs. Hospice, and Supporting Nurses with Gina Harris MSN, MSQT Host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, interviews Gina Harris MSN, MSQT, Chief Clinical Officer at Marisol Health in South Carolina, about hospice education and reducing fear around end-of-life care. Gina shares her career path from mortgage banking to 25 years in nursing, including critical care leadership and work as a CMS-certified surveyor, and explains how hospice nursing is emotionally demanding and often undervalued. The conversation...
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178 How to Talk to Someone About Hospice: Communication Tips and Resources
Hospice Explained
178 How to Talk to Someone About Hospice: Communication Tips and Resources Host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, explains that Hospice Explained is an educational resource and not a substitute for medical advice. She discusses how to communicate about hospice with patients, families, providers, and caregivers: be truthful, expect emotions, keep the focus on the person you’re talking to, practice active listening, and use clear, simple language. She recommends asking simple, open-ended questions, pausing to listen, treating the discussion as a collaborative...
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177 Hospice, Caregiving, and Long-Term Care Planning with Raymond Lavine
Hospice Explained
177 Hospice, Caregiving, and Long-Term Care Planning with Raymond Lavine Host Marie Betcher, a former hospice nurse and longtime registered nurse, interviews Raymond Lavine, Raymond explains he designs long-term care plans that can help pay for caregiving either at home or in a facility, addressing the common misconception that long-term care insurance is only “nursing home insurance.” They discuss caregiver stress and the need to support caregivers with respite and practical help. Raymond outlines how long-term care policies generally work as a pool of money over a set period, often with...
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176 Hospice Explained: The Five Wishes and Why They Matter
Hospice Explained
176 Hospice Explained: The Five Wishes and Why They Matter Host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, reviews the “Five Wishes” advance care planning document after a prior episode with Yvonne Caputo. She explains where to find and purchase it (fivewishes.org and agingwithdignity.org), notes it can be notarized, and emphasizes completing it through conversations with loved ones. Marie walks through each wish: choosing the person to make decisions when you can’t and clearly sharing your choices with them; deciding what medical treatments you want or don’t want...
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175 "Dying with Dad": Intimate Conversations and Five Wishes
Hospice Explained
175 "Dying with Dad": Intimate Conversations and Five Wishes In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, interviews Yvonne Caputo, a retired teacher, vice president of human resources, corporate trainer, consultant, and psychotherapist. Yvonne discusses her books, 'Flying with Dad' and 'Dying with Dad,' and shares personal stories about having meaningful end-of-life conversations with her father. The episode delves into the emotional and legal aspects of preparing for end-of-life, the significance of the 'Five Wishes' document, and how...
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174 Facing the Unspoken: Embracing End of Life Conversations
Hospice Explained
174 Facing the Unspoken: Embracing End of Life Conversations In this episode of 'Hospice Explained,' host Marie Betcher RN , a former hospice nurse with a long nursing experience, emphasizes the significance of addressing end-of-life issues early. She discusses the common problem of late referrals to palliative and hospice care and highlights the need for healthcare providers to facilitate honest, fact-based conversations with patients. This approach allows patients to make informed choices, spend quality time with loved ones, and manage their affairs properly. Marie encourages...
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173 Understanding Palliative Care with Dr. Win Lin Chai
Hospice Explained
173 Understanding Palliative Care with Dr. Win Lin Chai In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN interviews Dr. Win Lin Chai, a palliative care specialist from Malaysia. They discuss the role of palliative care in improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, the importance of early referral, and the challenges faced by healthcare providers in delivering holistic care. Dr. Chai shares insights from her extensive experience, including a touching patient story, and emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to support and understand both patients and...
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172 Understanding Hospice: Choices and Considerations for End of Life Care
Hospice Explained
172 Understanding Hospice: Choices and Considerations for End of Life Care In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, educates listeners on the history and evolution of end-of-life care. She discusses the shift from dying at home to hospital deaths that began in the late 19th century and transitioned in the mid-20th century. Marie emphasizes the importance of having conversations about end-of-life preferences early, including the role and benefits of hospice care whether at home, in a facility, or in a hospital. She also highlights...
info_outline177 Hospice, Caregiving, and Long-Term Care Planning with Raymond Lavine
Host Marie Betcher, a former hospice nurse and longtime registered nurse, interviews Raymond Lavine, Raymond explains he designs long-term care plans that can help pay for caregiving either at home or in a facility, addressing the common misconception that long-term care insurance is only “nursing home insurance.” They discuss caregiver stress and the need to support caregivers with respite and practical help. Raymond outlines how long-term care policies generally work as a pool of money over a set period, often with inflation or cost-of-living features, and notes that benefits may not cover 100% of costs depending on the plan and setting. Raymond advises making incremental home modifications in advance to support aging in place and reduce falls. The episode ends with Raymond offering Zoom, phone, and in-person meetings, directing listeners to his website tools and FAQ features, and Marie encouraging listeners to subscribe and share.
00:00 Welcome + Medical Disclaimer
00:29 Meet Your Host Marie Betcher
00:46 Raymond Lavine’s Backstory: Army, Vietnam & Career Path
02:43 What Raymond Does: Long‑Term Care Planning Meets Hospice Reality
04:21 Caregiver Burnout: Supporting the Family, Not Just the Patient
05:50 Does Long‑Term Care Insurance Pay for In‑Home Care or Facilities?
07:28 What Hospice Covers Under Medicare (and What It Doesn’t)
11:00 How Long‑Term Care Policies Work: Pools of Money, Inflation Riders & Costs
16:08 Affordable Options When Money’s Tight: Life Settlements, Reverse Mortgages & Hybrids
20:12 Avoiding Crisis: Planning, Home Modifications & Real‑World Care Logistics
22:09 Hospice Isn’t a Daily Caregiver: Building a Care Team
https://raymondlavineofficial.com/
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www.HospiceExplained.com
1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency,
This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.