We've talked in separate episodes about hospice and palliative care, in Episode 5 of Season 1, with Annalisa Smith of Avow Hospice in Naples, Florida.

And we talked with Dr. Gary Lee and pastor Larry Wildemuth of the CODA alliance, who promote Advanced Care Planning via the Go Wish cards: special cue cards that prompt thought-provoking and important questions about how you want to approach the end-of-life. That was in Season 2, Episode 11.

Now, we have them all here together for a special group conversation! Dr. Gary and pastor Larry are joined by Dawn Kolderman, Senior Clinical Director at Avow, and Deborah Simon, palliative care chaplain at Avow. Avow are on the front lines of using the Go Wish cards with their patients, and Dawn and Deb have seen first-hand the extraordinary impacts of having these important discussions with families.

We talk about the significance of palliative care, the holistic approach to patient needs and real-life applications of the Go Wish cards in fostering open dialogue between patients and their families, often in the face of cultural barriers. We look at the significance of dignity and comfort in care, the importance of having early discussions about end-of-life wishes, and the necessity of empowering patients and families to navigate healthcare decisions.

Open communication is so important to make sure that us and our families are prepared, and we have plans in place that meet our wishes. These conversations are a gift to our families, and the Go Wish cards play a huge role in making that happen.

Thank you for joining us on this episode, and here's your Call to Action: start having these discussions with your loved ones, and make sure those you care about are having them too. And order a pack (or four) of Go Wish cards to help you out!

Order your Go Wish cards through the CODA website here:

https://codaalliance.org/go-wish/

You can reach Avow Hospice through the following contact info:

Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Ln, Naples, FL

https://avowcares.org/⁠

+1 239-261-4400

---

Reach out to the show by visiting our website,

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠weareoldpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

and send me your thoughts and suggestions at weareoldpodcast@gmail.com.