Susan Combs will tell you she had a great dad. Her caregiving experience at the end of his life inspired her to give back to the veteran community. Susan’s dad Major General Roger E. Combs was a huge influence on her life. Roger battled with throat cancer related to Agent Orange for ten years, eventually dealing with a feeding tube toward the end of his life. A simple act - his request to eat pancakes - launched a non-profit organization that supports military veterans.

Susan is the president of Combs and Company, based in New York City. Her movement Pancakes for Roger occurs every February. For every pancake-loving picture posted on social media post using the hashtag #PancakesForRoger, Combs & Company will make a donation to the University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic which helps veterans and their families navigate the VA claims process and secure disability benefits when they are faced with obstacles along the way.

Here’s some advice Susan gives to other end of life caregivers:

• Do one thing every day for yourself
• Bring in your “crew”, those friends who can support you
• Have the advance care plan conversations, even though it’s difficult

Connect with Susan Combs and Pancakes for Roger:

Website: pancakesforroger.org

Book: Pancakes for Roger

Social media: Instagram Facebook Twitter (X) YouTube

Honor your veteran on their Wall of Honor:

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GrandPad website: https://www.grandpad.net/

Social Media for GrandPad

https://facebook.com/grandpad

https://instagram.com/grandpad_social/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/grandpad

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuFAJCb7_tTneM_ikABq08Q

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you. If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.

Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer

Website: theheartofhospice.com

Email: helen@theheartofhospice.com

More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast

After a 40 year hospice career, Barbara Karnes knows a thing or two about end of life care. Today’s special episode is part 3 of our 4 part series in honor of National Family Caregivers Month and National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Barbara calls her introduction to working with the dying “divine intervention” that occurred because of a random connection with a hospice worker. She spent five years working at the bedside, eventually moving into administrative positions and management. As a hospice educator, she supports family caregivers and end of life workers alike.

Highlights from Barbara’s interview include:

• A snapshot of Barbara’s advance care plan and why she thinks goodbyes are important
• Her recognition of how hard it was to balance work life and family life as a young mother
• How Barbara sees hospice work as a privilege

Connect with Barbara Karnes:

Website: bkbooks.com

Blog: bkbooks.com

Shop her products: bkbooks.com

Socials: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Pinterest YouTube

Email: barbara@bkbooks.com

Thank you to our series sponsor The Death Deck!

Connect with the End of Life Deck and the Death Deck:

Website: thedeathdeck.comhttps://thedeathdeck.com/

Shop: End of Life Deck Death Deck

Socials for the Death Deck: Facebook IG Twitter (X)

Hospice Navigation Services is here for you. If you have questions about hospice care or need to troubleshoot the care you’re already receiving, book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.

Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer

Website: theheartofhospice.com

Email: helen@theheartofhospice.com

More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast