In The Passenger Seat: Hospice Conversations

Serving Those Who Served: A Conversation on Veteran-Centered Hospice Care

Join us for a meaningful conversation with Katie Canada and Jordan McCoy from Uplifted Care, a Level 5 We Honor Veterans partner organization. We explore what makes end-of-life care for veterans unique, how military experiences shape their physical and emotional needs, and the ways hospice teams can provide compassionate, informed care, and how they became a "veteran-centered" hospice organization. Katie and Jordan share insights on how they embraced the We Honor Veterans Program and impactful stories from their work honoring those who served.  If you are interested more in learning about We Honor Veterans, please check out their website at https://www.wehonorveterans.org/ Want to improve your care for veterans at end of life? Uplifted Care is ready to provide mentorship to your organization through their We Honor Veterans partnership. Please contact Katie or Jordan for more information: canadak@upliftedcare.org -and- mccoyj@upliftedcare.org

Common Ground in Compassion: Hospice & Palliative Care Legislation We Can All Support

In this week’s episode of In the Passenger Seat, we’re joined by Ellen Byrne, Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Illinois Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (ILHPCO), for a timely discussion on hospice and palliative care legislation that transcends politics. Amid a divided political climate, Ellen highlights the issues that unite us all—ensuring dignity, choice, and quality of life at the end of life. We’ll explore current state and federal legislation impacting hospice and palliative care, why these initiatives matter, and how providers can engage in advocacy efforts that make a real difference. Tune in for a grounded, hopeful conversation about the power of collaboration, shared values, and the collective voice of hospice professionals working together to improve care for patients and families across Illinois.

Navigating ALS and Hospice: How the Les Turner ALS Foundation Supports Patients and Families

When an individual living with ALS reaches the point of considering hospice care, the journey can feel overwhelming—for both patients and their families. In this episode of In the Passenger Seat, we sit down with Anne Marie Doyle from the Les Turner ALS Foundation to explore how their team provides specialized support during this critical transition.  Whether you’re new to supporting ALS patients or a seasoned hospice provider, this conversation offers valuable insights and tools to help you deliver expert, patient-centered care when it matters most.  Here are some quick links to the resources discussed in today's episode:  * Email:  supportservices@lesturnerals.org [supportservices@lesturnerals.org] or education@lesturnerals.org [education@lesturnerals.org] * Website:  https://lesturnerals.org/ [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2flesturnerals.org%2f&c=E,1,y4rlCVuzu_wOM6uP5SFGxOOs0xgc9ILRp9StmN5xbm8-4CnTVXDhSFdWn5NnzMGfQHOeT6Pe8AmjGgcvC1hbi2295kyNJbyNHgbnpAuWTwiZFh_dNVt7B_s,&typo=1] * My ALS Decision Tool™:  https://lesturnerals.org/my-als-decision-tool/ [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2flesturnerals.org%2fmy-als-decision-tool%2f&c=E,1,tJqbnWgrBiyxuPoRqV9hghnCT4vEUC1YZZnO-3ZwFlyDtDMtNf2dFOsQ6gOCdnfCrCLBmSKhXqukkcW-Xr_Z6QPcB2McjFZYWTYRp1ou-A,,&typo=1] * ALS Learning Series:  https://lesturnerals.org/support-services/als-learning-series/ [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2flesturnerals.org%2fsupport-services%2fals-learning-series%2f&c=E,1,DccW8pgVA1KsDf2-f-whOLPW_2TFznGFdFxdhUf_6-X9BNaRiIWYgx8V_wWf5981hGpMg3tG2q4VMegyEDfYzbpq7Kr6-C1-TYExaErBL9HjcG8kF_NLHA,,&typo=1] * Information Guides: https://lesturnerals.org/als-decision-tools-guides-and-webinars/ [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2flesturnerals.org%2fals-decision-tools-guides-and-webinars%2f&c=E,1,UYuc0XGaqUgRbmEJ0LM2j6m9zBstb0EbAoVcpfcIvdxPzm5I17HfhzsQwISPxOX-Id-8B5noM4OC1sTIKTZABkY1RkhqiX9Ggh-ob0-ya5PLpNU,&typo=1] * Support Groups: https://lesturnerals.org/support-services/free-als-support-groups-online/ [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2flesturnerals.org%2fsupport-services%2ffree-als-support-groups-online%2f&c=E,1,DiyV6SU1-4dzc578wPPhiCyjyV8ytjbpRGQUgtM0pP2ciSR0Eecfsu5Q31Aoe7a6YqrAyV7uaPoz2EgNdd5ENWT3wM3C5X77QQEiduENVxt3NR6UikJ5VwSVgA,,&typo=1] * Grants & Equipment Loans: https://lesturnerals.org/support-services/grant-programs-equipment-loans/ [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2flesturnerals.org%2fsupport-services%2fgrant-programs-equipment-loans%2f&c=E,1,i9PfAkv985UoQUVMcxe1qf_JWGa2tccWHAOfOfQAjVgpBXwv3oWFyq40Gf2ZbSo7Q9iYWP4wYcJ0rIr0KTh0kGNSnU8HZSWBNHcexMabOfvd&typo=1]

Supporting the Youngest Hearts — The Role of Child Life in Hospice Care

In this episode of In the Passenger Seat, we’re joined by Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) Rachael Miller and Allison Bush, who share how Child Life professionals support children and families in hospice care. Together, we explore what a CCLS does, how they help children navigate serious illness and loss, and how they collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to provide compassionate, developmentally appropriate care. You’ll hear about practical tools, common challenges, and the deeply rewarding moments that come with guiding young hearts through difficult times.

CAHPS Demystified: How Your Daily Work Shapes Patient and Family Experiences

What is CAHPS, really — and why does it matter to you, the frontline hospice caregiver? Shelley Cartwright, CEO of APEX Hospice & Palliative Care, joins us this episode to pull back the curtain on the CAHPS Hospice Survey. Whether you're a nurse, CNA, chaplain, social worker, or provider, this episode will help you understand how your everyday actions directly shape the patient and family experience — and how that experience is captured in the survey. This isn’t about chasing scores — it’s about honoring the sacred work you already do. CAHPS just gives families a way to tell that story.