Hospice 101 Lunch and Learn

Introduction to Hospice Care
- What hospice care is and who it serves.
- Overview of services provided by hospice, including medical, emotional, and spiritual support.
- The interdisciplinary team in hospice care: nurses, social workers, chaplains, music therapists and volunteers.

Common Misconceptions About Hospice
- Hospice is only for the last days of life – understanding when hospice can begin.
- Hospice hastens death – explaining the focus on comfort and quality of life.
- Hospice means giving up – how hospice empowers patients and families.

Navigating Difficult End-of-Life Discussions
- Tips for starting conversations with loved ones about end-of-life care.
- Approaching advanced care planning in a compassionate and clear manner.
- How to support families and patients in making informed decisions.

Advanced Care Planning
- Importance of living wills, power of attorney, and other directives.
- Encouraging early discussions about preferences for care.

Cultural Considerations in Hospice Care
- Addressing cultural, spiritual, and individual differences in end-of-life preferences.
- How hospice care can be adapted to honor diverse cultural beliefs and practices.
- Respecting traditions and values while providing compassionate care.

Q&A Session

About our Speakers:

Denise Palacios, LCSW, is the Director of Patient Experience at AccentCare Hospice. in hospice, grief and bereavement, Denise has a deep understanding of the emotional and logistical challenges families face during end-of-life care. She is passionate about hospice education, advanced care planning, and navigating difficult conversations while providing guidance with compassion and expertise. She is dedicated to supporting individuals and families through life's most difficult transition. Her practice is rooted in compassion and understanding, offering guidance and support to those navigating the complexities of dying and loss.

Corey Stepeck, MSW, is the Manager of Volunteer Services and Community Outreach at AccentCare. With 10 years of social work experience, Corey brings a unique blend of expertise in medical, geriatric, psychiatric, and palliative care. His personal experience with hospice, following the loss of his mother at 24, fuels his passion for supporting families and caregivers through compassionate care and community involvement.