A Mother’s Day Reflection on Caregiving, Community, and Bringing End-of-Life Wisdom Back Home
About this episode
Suzanne B. O’Brien RN reflects on the emotional journey of caregiving for mothers at the end of life, discussing the challenges families face and the importance of end-of-life wisdom.
In this deeply emotional Mother’s Day episode, Suzanne B. O’Brien RN shares one of the most sacred callings many of us will ever experience: walking our mothers home at the end of life. As daughters, mothers, caregivers, nurses, and women in community, we are so often the ones called forward to care for those we love through aging, illness, and the final transition. Yet most families today are trying to navigate end-of-life care without the knowledge, preparation, or support that once was naturally handed down from grandmother to grandchild. And the result is heartbreaking. Families are overwhelmed. Terrified. Exhausted. Grieving while caregiving. Trying to do the most important work of their lives without the skills or understanding to feel grounded and empowered. In this episode, Suzanne speaks openly about: The truth behind the current hospice model Why families provide 98% of the hands-on care, even with hospice involved How hospice shifted after becoming a Medicare benefit Why most people enter hospice very late, often already in crisis The devastating impact fear of death has on quality of life, caregiving, grief, and bereavement Why presence and time are the greatest…
More episodes of Ask a Death Doula
- Is Fear Driving the Medical Aid in Dying Movement?
- The New Definition of Success with Kerrie Lee Brown Chief Editor of SUCCESS Magazine
- The Next Evolution of the Death Doula Movement (And Why It Matters Now More Than Ever)
- From Family Caregiver to Global Doulagiver: Following the Heart with Kelly Sanchez
- Is the Medical Aid in Dying Movement Opening Up a Bigger Conversation?
- Graduate Spotlight: Yasmeen Fatima — Following the Heart's Calling to Serve Children and Families Through End of Life & Grief
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Ask a Death Doula podcast page.