Ruth McGill talks about death every day. She listens to her clients, all of whom are terminally ill, and helps them to decide where they might like to die – at home, in a hospice, or someplace else. She helps them to have conversations with family or loved ones that would otherwise be much more […]
Should You Talk About Death During the Holidays?
I saw the following quote on Facebook today, and it really resonated with me. It made me think about my own mortality and about my loved ones, who I will be seeing during the holidays: “None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an afterthought. Eat the delicious […]
End-of-Life Conversation Resources
Dear Angel, I was hoping to talk about end-of-life wishes with my parents over the holidays. Do you know of any resources that would be helpful to guide me in starting the conversation? Thanks for your help! Weir Tobeegin — Dear Weir, You are doing a wise thing in initiating the end-of-life conversation with your […]
Are Faith Leaders Trained to Talk to About End-of-Life Topics?
My wife and I are over 65, and are both ready to discuss the topic of death and end-of-life planning. We spoke about it amongst ourselves, but need some guidance. We are religious, and would like our religious leader’s advice in this area before we make any decisions, but are concerned that he may not […]
Plan Your Lifespan: A No-Cost Tool for Planning in Advance
Phyllis Mitzen, a 72-year-old semi-retired social worker, has worked with seniors for many years and understands the value of planning for future healthcare needs. Yet, she herself has put off the task. Phyllis’s husband is turning 76 this year. And although she and her husband are both still quite healthy, who knows what might happen […]
Overcoming the Fear of Death
Q. My mother always said that there are two topics to avoid in conversation, whenever possible: religion and politics. Unlike some of my Facebook friends and others I have known, I took this advice to heart and don’t have many enemies. Now that she is in her 80’s, and I am in my 60’s, and my daughter is nearly […]
Advance Directives Mean Less Costly Care
Q. My aunt died ten years ago without an advance directive. I will never forget the fight between her husband and the rest of the family about life saving measures before she died. He insisted that she would have wanted them, when the rest of the family said she would not. There is tension to […]
Why Take Advantage of End-of-life Care Talks?
Dear Baxter, I just read that Medicare will fund end-of-life planning discussions with doctors, as of Jan. 1, 2016. Why is this important? My doctor already does this for free. And why should seniors take advantage of these talks? I personally don’t want to talk about death and dying. Thanks in advance for your thoughts! […]
A “Guardian Angel” When One is Needed Most
Marjorie never felt alone at her nursing home. Although her husband died last year, and her children couldn’t be there a lot of the time to visit her, she seemed content. Her ability to speak clearly and her memory were diminishing and most people couldn’t understand what she wanted or needed, but somehow she always […]
Joan Rivers Death Reminds us to Have End-of-Life Conversation
Q. I am very close with my in-laws, who are both in their late 70’s, and all I want for them (and for everyone I care about) is to live a long happy life. Unfortunately, the inevitable happens to us all, and when it does happen, I really want my entire family to be prepared […]