Empowered Endings: Sacred Stream Radio
Laura Chandler, host of Sacred Stream Radio, speaks with Dr. Bob and Elizabeth Uslander, founders of Empowered Endings, about their work in providing compassionate and comprehensive end-of-life care.
They discuss the importance of holistic support for both patients and their families during the end-of-life journey, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach that includes medical care, emotional and spiritual support, and companionship.
The conversation sets the stage for a deeper exploration of how Empowered Endings aims to transform end-of-life care and create a more compassionate and supportive experience for all involved.
They highlight the importance of comprehensive and personalized end-of-life care that integrates medical, emotional, and spiritual support. They also discuss the role of death doulas, legislative advancements, and the significance of grief literacy and continuity of care in improving end-of-life experiences for patients and their families.
Key takeaways from this episode include:
1. Holistic Care Approach: End-of-life care should include medical treatment and emotional and spiritual support for patients and their families. The involvement of a multidisciplinary team, including doctors, nurses, doulas, social workers, and alternative therapists, can provide comprehensive care tailored to individual needs.
2. Role of Death Doulas: Death doulas offer essential companionship and support that can significantly improve the quality of end-of-life care. Despite their importance, death doulas currently lack formal integration into the medical system, which limits their ability to collaborate effectively with clinical care providers.
3. Legislative Advancements: Laws like the End of Life Option Act in California provide patients with more choices and dignity in their end-of-life journey. Awareness and understanding of such laws are still limited, and more needs to be done to inform people about their rights and options.
4. Importance of Human Connection: The healing power of human connection is critical in the end-of-life journey, offering comfort and support that goes beyond medical treatments. Positive connections between patients, families, and caregivers can lead to better emotional and psychological outcomes.
5. Grief Literacy and Support: Grief is a significant aspect of the end-of-life process, affecting patients, families, and caregivers before, during, and after the death. Continuity of care, where the same caregivers provide support throughout the journey, can lead to better bereavement outcomes and overall health benefits.
6. Advocacy and Education: Empowered Endings aims to create a platform for education, resources, and community support to improve end-of-life care. The organization’s efforts include seminars, webinars, a resource library, and an online community to share expertise and support each other.
7. Vision for the Future: Dr. Bob and Elizabeth share how their vision is to create spaces where people can have the end-of-life experience they desire, with personalized care and support. Expanding the conversation about end-of-life options and integrating them into mainstream healthcare is essential for improving care and reducing the burden on families and society.
Listen to the full episode here to gain insights about making the end-of-life experience more gentle and dignified for everyone involved.
