Dec 28, 2025
168 Breaking Taboos: Talking About Death with Gabby Jimenez
In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN, a registered nurse and former hospice nurse, interviews Gabrielle Jimenez, a hospice and palliative care nurse, end-of-life doula, grief educator, and author. Gabby shares her journey from commercial real estate to nursing, witnessing nearly 2000 last breaths, and discusses the importance of human-centered care in hospice. The episode also covers the challenges and rewards of starting a nursing career later in life, the need for earlier hospice care, and supporting parents losing a child. Highlighting Gabby's intention to create a safe place through her Facebook community 'The Hospice Heart,' this episode emphasizes the critical role of compassion and education in end-of-life care.
00:00 Introduction to Hospice Explained
00:46 Meet Gabrielle Jimenez: Hospice Nurse and Doula
02:01 Gabrielle's Journey to Hospice Care
10:12 The Role of a Doula in End-of-Life Care
17:01 Challenges and Changes in Hospice Care
21:38 The Importance of Discussing Death and Dying
24:04 Celebrating Life and Death in New Orleans
24:37 Organizing Funeral Food
25:51 A Funny Story About My Dad's Funeral
27:20 Reflecting on My Mother's Death
29:13 Dealing with Family Drama During Funerals
32:12 Advice for Handling Grief and Family Dynamics
39:08 Supporting Parents Losing a Child
43:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
https://www.thehospiceheart.net/
If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice
Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information
Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.
Maire
introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of
the
cloud9caresystem.com,
When patients remain in the same position for extended periods,
they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly
known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is
the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily
dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode
#119)
When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You)
If you would, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice
Marie's
Contact
Marie@HospiceExplained.com
www.HospiceExplained.com
Finding a Hospice Agency
1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency,
2. choose Find provider
3. Choose Hospice
4. then add your zip code
This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.