Tag Archives: Hospice

What Is the California State University Institute for Palliative Care?

An interview with Jennifer Ballentine, Executive Director of the CSU Institute for Palliative Care, Part One

Jennifer Ballentine is the Executive Director of the California State University Institute for Palliative Care. The Institute primarily teaches healthcare professionals about palliative care and the nuances of the field. The main Institute is hosted by CSU San Marcos, with … Continue reading

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Why Is It So Hard to Let Go?

Too many families are torn apart when a loved one is dying

Death and love are the two wings that bear the good man to heaven. ~Michelangelo Last week, I learned that my 90-year-old aunt was in the hospital with pneumonia and sepsis. This is her second admission in a little less … Continue reading

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What Are Death Cafés?

An interview with Lizzy Miles, host of the first Death Café in the U.S., Part Two

Today SevenPonds concludes our conversation with Lizzy Miles. Lizzy works at a hospice center in Columbus, Ohio, and was the first person to host a Death Café in the United States in 2012. The Death Café movement was originally championed … Continue reading

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Music Therapy Can Help Make a Person’s Last Days More Peaceful

Music has healing powers that should not be overlooked

I have always been interested in the benefits of music therapy. A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing Portia Diwa, who plays the harp for people who are ill, injured or dying. Portia said that one of … Continue reading

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What Is The Role of A Patient Advocate?

An interview with patient advocate Linda Garvin, Part One

Today SevenPonds speaks with Linda Garvin, R.N., M.S.N., a patient advocate with 35 years experience working in healthcare. Linda is the principal of Patient Advocate Bay Area, Inc, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through her private health advocacy … Continue reading

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How Can We Better Prepare for Emergency Medical Situations?

An interview with paramedic and educator Dennis Kowalski, Part One

Today SevenPonds speaks with Dennis Kowalski, a nationally registered EMT-Paramedic for the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In the field, Dennis frequently encounters emergency medical situations, and has years of experience attending to those in crisis. In addition to his work as … Continue reading

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