Tag: veterans

EOLPodcast

Ep. 421 Caring for Veterans Through the End of Life with Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar

kwyattmd

Learn about a groundbreaking new educational series about end-of-life care for veterans and their loved ones.

My return guest this week is Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar, an Army veteran, end-of-life doula, educator and the founder of In Their Honor, LLC, an organization dedicated to re-imagining end-of-life care for veterans and their families. Qwynn recently collaborated with PsychArmor Institute to launch Course 1 of the “Caring for Veterans Through the End of Life Series,” which provides online education for veterans, their loved ones, caregivers and healthcare providers around compassionate end-of-life care for veterans. She’ll discuss her own journey to realizing this goal and why this series is a game-changer. Learn more about Qwynn’s work and the course at these websites:

www.intheirhonor.info

www.psycharmor.org

Watch on YouTube

Listen here:

This episode includes:

  • What inspired Qwynn to create this course
  • Her remarkable 2 year journey to realize this goal
  • Why some of the issues facing veterans at the end of life and unique and need to be recognized
  • Who can benefit from this free course
  • Why end-of-life education is important for veterans and their loved ones
  • Why healthcare providers in all specialties could use additional training in working with veterans in a compassionate manner
  • The importance of developing “compassionate communities” for everyone

Links mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu and my newest donors on PayPal Kimberly James and Gaja Andzel! Also many thanks to Ann Hyland for buying me coffee! Your contributions make all the difference and ensure this podcast stays ad-free.

EOLPodcast

Ep. 324 End-of-Life Care for Veterans with Qwynn Galloway-Salazar

kwyattmd

Learn how to meet the unique needs of veterans and their families as they face the end of life.

My guest Qwynn Galloway-Salazar is a behavioral health professional and end-of-life doula who, as an Army veteran herself, specializes in the needs of veterans and their families facing end-of-life challenges. She discusses her work strengthening behavioral health systems for SAMHSA’s Service Member, Veterans, and Their Families Technical Assistance Center and her work with an initiative to reduce the incidence of suicide in the military and veteran population. She is passionate about teaching end-of-life professionals to provide sensitive, trauma-informed care to their patients who are veterans. Learn more at her website:

www.intheirhonor.info

Listen here:

This episode includes:

  • How Qwynn was inspired to become an end-of-life doula specializing in veteran care
  • The unique needs of veterans who are facing the end of life
  • Questions to ask patients who are veterans
    • Did you serve in the armed forces? or a loved one close to you?
    • Which conflict?
    • Which branch of service?
    • Combat or non-combat?
  • The importance of screening for mental health issues in veterans receiving care
  • How the end-of-life needs of women veterans differ from those of men
  • How stoicism in military culture can interfere with pain and symptom management at the end of life
  • Many veterans experience shame, isolation, moral injury and survivor’s guilt that they have difficulty talking about
  • The importance of recruiting veterans of all ages as volunteers in hospice
  • The family members of veterans also have a need to tell their stories and be heard
  • The value of presence and soul-to-soul heartwork when working with dying veterans
  • Tips for practicing trauma-informed care with patients who are veterans
  • Suicide prevention work for veterans that is currently taking place

Links mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu! Your contributions make all the difference.

End of Life, EOLPodcast

Ep. 144 Tips for Caring for a Veteran at the End of Life

kwyattmd

Learn how to provide appropriate and sensitive care to a veteran who is nearing the end of life.

PodcastVeteran

memorialdayToday’s “mini-episode” airs on Memorial Day in the U.S. – a day when we honor those who have given their lives in military service to our country. I share a few thoughts about how to give the best care possible to those who have served as they reach the end of their lives.

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

A Year of ReadingCheck out A Year of Reading Dangerously online reading group if you’d like to read books about death, dying and the afterlife and join our online discussions. The group will be going on all year long in 2018! Click here to read more and see the book list.

 

THANK YOU to all of my generous patrons who support the podcast and End-of-Life University Interview Series with small monthly donations at Patreon.com/eolu! Your support means everything to me! Visit the Patreon.com/eolu page if you’d like to become a supporter and receive special bonuses!

FEATURE PRESENTATION:

On this Memorial Day we honor all those who died serving our country as members of the military. Today I am honoring all veterans for their sacrifices and service as we discuss how to give them the best possible end-of-life care.

The Veterans Administration estimates that 11-30% of all veterans experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of trauma during their military service.  PTSD symptoms can be triggered when a veteran faces the challenges of aging and death, even in those who have not experienced PTSD flare-ups for many years.

The symptoms of PTSD to be aware of if you are caring for a veteran include:

  • Flashbacks and vivid recollections of the traumatic event
  • Nightmares
  • Sensitivity to certain sounds or sights
  • Sleep difficulties
  • Irritability
  • Anger outbursts
  • Isolation
  • Avoidance of situations that trigger memories

If you are caring for a veteran, whether you are a professional or family caregiver, it is important to understand the needs of your patient so you can offer appropriate care. Here are some tips:

  • Recognize that the veteran may be reluctant to complain of pain or distress because military training emphasizes stoicism and bravery. Talking about pain or fear may seem to be a sign of weakness to the veteran.
  • Watch for signs of uncontrolled pain (grimacing, muscle tension, elevated heart rate or blood pressure) even if the veteran denies discomfort.
  • Normalize the experience of pain by emphasizing that other patients with the same diagnosis often have pain and receive treatment for it.
  • Create a safe emotional space where the veteran’s wishes can be heard and respected without judgment.
  • Ask open-ended questions and show a willingness to listen, even to difficult stories, but don’t push the veteran to talk if he or she is reluctant.
  • Avoid startling the patient with an unexpected touch – always ask permission before reaching for a hand.
  • Acknowledge that you cannot possibly know what the veteran has experienced unless you yourself have been in military service. Show your gratitude for the sacrifices made.
  • Remember that the veteran may be carrying a burden of unresolved grief and guilt over the traumatic events of the past but may be concerned that no one else can tolerate listening to the stories that need to be told. Offer reassurance that you have heard many stories in the past and are trained to listen.
  • Enlist the help of a chaplain if the veteran is seeking forgiveness and interested in receiving pastoral care.
  • Consider bringing in a Veteran Volunteer if the patient is willing and one is available. A fellow vet will have an easier time establishing rapport and connecting with the patient. Check out The Twilight Brigade, which provides volunteers nationwide to be at the bedside of dying Veterans and “is one of the largest end-of-life care communities operating as an independent agency within VA hospitals and hospice care facilities across America.”

Heartfelt thanks to all veterans who have served to protect our freedom and safety! May your road be smooth and burdens light as you journey on at the end of life!

Remember there will be a new episode every Monday so be sure to tune in again. If you enjoy this content please consider leaving a review on iTunes and sharing the podcast with others.

Until next week:

Face Your Fear            BE Ready           Love Your Life

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