Podcast

Living Forever, Not an Option

Care Dimensions is proud to launch our new podcast Living Forever, Not an Option. With their vast knowledge about hospice and palliative care, hosts Mary Crowe, LICSW, ACHP-SW, C.D.S., CDP, Director of Professional and Community Education, and Lyn Skarmeas, Vice President of Business Development, discuss various topics to dispel the myths surrounding hospice, palliative care and end of life. Their goal is to empower individuals with advanced illness to access hospice and palliative care services sooner, thereby providing more opportunity to improve their quality of life. 

Hospice Volunteers

In this episode, hosts Lyn and Mary discuss the role of hospice volunteers with Care Dimensions' Director of Volunteer Services and Complementary Therapies, Sheryl Meehan.

Special Episode -- Advance Care Planning with Ellen DiPaola

Host Mary Crowe discusses advance care planning with guest, Ellen DiPaola, president & CEO of Honoring Choices in Massachusetts. Both experts on the topic, they dispel common myths around advance care planning and offer advice on how and when to fill out these important documents.

Episode 12 - Taking to the Bed? I Don't Think So!

Hosts Lyn and Mary discuss the misconception that a person has to "take to the bed" in order to receive hospice care.

Episode 11 - The Importance of Listening

Hosts Lyn and Mary discuss the importance of listening when you or a loved one has a serious or advanced illness.

Episode 10 - Telling Our Stories: The Importance of Reminiscing and Life Review

Hosts Lyn and Mary discuss the benefits of reminiscing and life review through both their personal and professional experiences. 

Episode 9 - Living with a Serious Illness

Hosts Lyn and Mary discuss the challenges associated with living with a serious illness and provide tips on how to adjust after receiving a diagnosis.

Episode 8 - Complementary Therapies: Enhancing Well-Being at End of Life

Hosts Lyn and Mary discuss various complementary therapies and the benefits to both patients and families at end of life.

Episode 7 - Caring for the Caregiver

Hosts Lyn and Mary discuss the importance of caring for the caregiver to ensure the best quality of life for both the patient and caregiver.

Episode 6 - Concepts of Grief and Loss

Hosts Lyn and Mary touch upon the realities of grief and loss and ways that we can care for each other during those times.

Episode 5 - Living Well, Making Every Moment Count

Hosts Lyn and Mary focus on living well, what gets in the way, and how we can incorporate techniques or approaches that can positively influence our life, healthcare and overall quality of life.

Episode 4 - Starting the Conversation Around Death and Dying

Hosts Lyn and Mary tackle the challenges of starting a conversation starting a conversation about death, dying, and making your wishes known.

Episode 3 - Who is Driving the Bus? Taking Charge of Your Healthcare Wishes

Hosts Lyn and Mary discuss the importance of advance directives and making your healthcare wishes known.

Episode 2- Hospice Myths and Misconceptions

Hosts Lyn and Mary discuss several myths and misconceptions surrounding hospice care. Lack of understanding or awareness of the services and support that hospice can bring to patients and families, as well as preconceived notions often perpetuate these misconceptions about hospice.

Episode 1 – Understanding Hospice and Palliative Care

Hosts Mary and Lyn explain the differences between hospice and palliative care, the philosophy and history of hospice, and dispel some of the myths surrounding hospice care because "living forever is not an option."

Special Episode - Coping with the Holidays After a Loss

Hosts Mary and Lyn discuss coping with the holidays after a loss. The holidays can be a challenging time for people in general, but coping with the holidays after a loss adds a new level of difficulty to anyone’s life.

Meet the hosts

Mary Crowe, LICSW, ACHP-SW, C.D.S. Over the past 13 years, Mary has led the Care Dimensions' professional and community educational outreach, coordinating and delivering hundreds of programs each year for healthcare professionals, families and community groups. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, and post graduate certificates in gerontology and alcohol counseling. Mary worked as a medical social worker for over 25 years in acute care, rehabilitation, skilled nursing and adult day health settings caring for individuals and families with advanced illness or at end of life.

Lyn Skarmeas With over 25 years of experience in business development and marketing for hospice and home health care organizations, Lyn has excelled at developing and managing cohesive and motived teams that focus on achieving results consistent with the overall growth, success and mission of the organizations as well as identifying opportunities through new programs and services, and developing strong relationships with the local medical community and referral facilities. She is a seasoned leader and proven manager with significant expertise in strategic planning, marketing, business development, budgeting and resource management. In her role at Care Dimensions she is responsible for leading all major activities associated with the growth of the organization as well as strategic leadership and direction for new business offerings and expansion. Lyn is a graduate of Providence College.