Hosts Pam Dunwald and Linda Kritikos set the record straight on what hospice is and is not about in this episode. They address the top ten misconceptions people have about hospice care, misconceptions that hold people back from choosing hospice for themselves or loved ones. Pam and Linda both have practical experience in hospice and share stories from their book, “Cracking the Hospice Code: Your Nurse Advocates Debunk the Top Ten Misconceptions of Hospice”, that will change minds about the reality of hospice.

The top ten misconceptions addressed include the belief that hospice is only for people with one foot already in the grave, that hospice will involve a lot of out-of-pocket expense, that morphine kills, and even the misconception that once someone enters hospice, they can’t leave. Pam and Linda debunk each of the ten myths with facts and truths about what hospice care really involves. They tell stories of clients who greatly benefited from hospice. And they provide assurance that the needs and wants of the client in care are of the utmost priority.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• “Cracking the Hospice Code: Your Nurse Advocates Debunk the Top Ten Misconceptions of Hospice” by Linda Kritikos, R.N. and Pam Dunwald, R.N.
• Free Checklist and Guide "Should I Consider Hospice?"

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Contact Pam Dunwald & Linda Kritikos | Your Nurse Advocate Consulting:

• Website: YourNurseAdvocateConsulting.com
• Facebook: @Your RNAdvocate
• Pinterest: @YourNurseAdvocate
• Instagram: @YourRNAdvocate
• Linkedin: Your Nurse Advocate Consulting
• YouTube: Your Nurse Advocate Consulting
  
  

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Hosts Pam Dunwald and Linda Kritikos discuss the issue of hospital readmissions, why they occur, and how they can often be prevented. Hospital readmission is defined as a return to the hospital within thirty days of the patient’s discharge. Often, readmissions occur due to miscommunication, misunderstanding, or medication changes. Advocates, like the type provided by Your Nurse Advocate Consulting, can reduce hospital readmissions by 30%. Join Pam and Linda to find out how.

Hospital readmissions are not just frustrating and discouraging; they can be risky and costly as well. Pam and Linda break down common reasons older adults tend to end up back in the hospital: 1. Confusing or incomplete discharge instructions, 2. Medication errors or missed prescriptions, 3. Lack of follow-up appointments, and 4. Unaddressed symptoms or complications at home. These reasons can be prevented with a nurse advocate on hand. An advocate clarifies all instructions and medications, tracks doctors’ discharge summaries, makes follow-up appointments, and ensures the transition from the hospital to the next step is smooth and organized.

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Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• “Senior Relocation Guide and Checklist”: free transition resource
• Schedule A Free 30-Minute Call

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Contact Pam Dunwald & Linda Kritikos | Your Nurse Advocate Consulting:

• Website: YourNurseAdvocateConsulting.com
• Facebook: @Your RNAdvocate
• Pinterest: @YourNurseAdvocate
• Instagram: @YourRNAdvocate
• Linkedin: Your Nurse Advocate Consulting
• YouTube: Your Nurse Advocate Consulting
  
  

Host Pam Dunwald explores what listeners need to prepare for the Medicare annual enrollment period in this episode. Pam is joined by guest Wendi Schoonover, the owner and founder of Integrity Insurance Group. Wendi has 16 years of experience in the industry, and started her own agency in 2018 to take a more educational and advocacy-based approach with clients. Pam asks Wendi key questions about Medicare: everything we need to know about insurance options, cost, and how to get ready for annual enrollment.

Wendi explains the differences between the Medicare annual enrollment period, which starts in October, and the subsequent open enrollment period, and clarifies what requirements, if any, are needed for initially starting out with Medicare. Pam asks Wendi a host of vital questions, including the differences between a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medigap plan, what is covered by each part of a plan, the differences in cost, and how to prepare for meeting an advisor. Wendi contains a wealth of knowledge about all things Medicare and health insurance, which she gladly shares to demystify some of the confusion and misinformation about Medicare Advantage, premiums, and supplements.

About Wendi Schoonover:

Wendi founded Integrity Insurance Group in 2018. She is a veteran of the insurance industry with over 16 years of experience. She envisioned an agency that was client-focused, not sales-driven—a place where people could get honest advice and exceptional service without the pressure.

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Contact Pam Dunwald & Linda Kritikos| Your Nurse Advocate Consulting:

• Website: YourNurseAdvocateConsulting.com
• Facebook: @Your RNAdvocate
• Pinterest: @YourNurseAdvocate
• Instagram: @YourRNAdvocate
• Linkedin: Your Nurse Advocate Consulting
• YouTube: Your Nurse Advocate Consulting
  
  

Contact Wendi Schoonover | Integrity Insurance Group:

• Website: IIGTulsa.com
• TikTok: @WenInTulsa
• Phone: 918-600-2133

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In this episode, hosts Pam Dunwald and Linda Kritikos define exactly how nurse patient advocates are able to help patients and their families navigate healthcare. Through their independent company, Your Nurse Advocate Consulting, they are able to provide assistance that is truly independent and not tied to or bound by a particular hospital, clinic, or insurance company’s rules. The care they offer untangles complex medications, assists with daunting decisions, ensures doctors and hospitals thoroughly address patient needs, and keeps families in the loop on everything to do with healthcare.

Pam and Linda each share a personal story of how their individual advocacy for a past client assisted in their long-term recovery and care. Families who live out of state or overseas have entrusted the care of their loved one to Pam or Linda, and through regular calls and conversations, have been kept up-to-date on every doctor consultation, medication change, hospitalization, and have had necessary assistance in arranging hospice or at-home care. They emphasize how official reports - from the Patient Advocate Foundation Annual Impact Report to the President’s Cancer Panel from 2024 - have stated that nurse advocates improve quality of care, reduce readmission rates, improve medication safety, and increase both health outcomes for patients and reduce stress for family caregivers.

References Cited in This Episode:

• 2024 Patient Advocate Foundation Annual Impact Report
• The President's Cancer Panel 2024 Report
• PMC 11526257 2024
• JMIR Medical Informatics 2024

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• “11 Signs Your Aging Parents May Need Help in the Home” free resource checklist
• Schedule A Free 30-Minute Call

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Contact Pam Dunwald & Linda Kritikos | Your Nurse Advocate Consulting:

• Website: YourNurseAdvocateConsulting.com
• Facebook: @Your RNAdvocate
• Pinterest: @YourNurseAdvocate
• Instagram: @YourRNAdvocate
• Linkedin: Your Nurse Advocate Consulting
• YouTube: Your Nurse Advocate Consulting
  
  

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Hosts Pam Dunwald and Linda Kritikos welcome listeners to the first episode of Healthcare Redefined: Advocating for Aging Adults and Their Families. Pam and Linda unpack the reason they created Your Nurse Advocate Consulting and, by extension, this podcast: to help fill the gaps healthcare can leave in people’s lives. How the people-centred focus sometimes slips through the cracks and leaves patients, especially aging adults, with confusion, missing medication, unclear instructions, or just a lack of support. Pam and Linda are here to change that.

Their stated goal is simple: to be your trusted guide through the confusing, often overwhelming world of healthcare, especially when the system doesn’t work the way it should. And because healthcare is complicated, it’s not always intentional when hospitals or clinics miss things. Sometimes it’s system overwhelm or a lack of time. But either way, communication breakdowns, missing test results, playing phone tag with insurance, and many more of these little gaps in care negatively impact the people being cared for. Pam and Linda are here to fill the gaps the system leaves behind. Through Your Nurse Advocate Consulting and Healthcare Redefined, they’re offering insight, advice, guidance, and support in navigating the complex and sometimes lacking world of healthcare.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Free Prep for the Doctor Appointment form

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Contact Pam Dunwald & Linda Kritikos| Your Nurse Advocate Consulting:

• Website: YourNurseAdvocateConsulting.com
• Facebook: @Your RNAdvocate
• Pinterest: @YourNurseAdvocate
• Instagram: @YourRNAdvocate
• Linkedin: Your Nurse Advocate Consulting
• YouTube: Your Nurse Advocate Consulting
  
  

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Welcome to Healthcare Redefined: Advocating for Aging Adults and Their Families, presented by Your Nurse Advocate Consulting. Hosts Pam and Linda are here to empower families to confidently navigate the complexities of healthcare and aging. They will impart expert advice, share real stories, and provide practical tools for families whose loved ones are in their golden years. Each episode, Pam and Linda will explore topics like demystifying Medicare, creating collaborative care plans, or how to handle a healthcare crisis. What questions do you have about aging family members? Subscribe to Healthcare Redefined on your favorite podcast platform and finally get the clarity and understanding you need.

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Contact Pam Dunwald & Linda Kritikos | Your Nurse Advocate Consulting:

• Website: YourNurseAdvocateConsulting.com
• Facebook: @Your RNAdvocate
• Pinterest: @YourNurseAdvocate
• Instagram: @YourRNAdvocate
• LinkedIn: Your Nurse Advocate Consulting
• YouTube: Your Nurse Advocate Consulting