Yea, my first End of Life (EOL) Conversation Salon/Workshop Worked! Lights lit up!
Today’s blog is an evaluation and follow up to a workshop I held at a yoga studio called, Being Well When Making Big Healthcare Life and EOL Decisions ….
Last week I presented my preparation notes for this workshop.
The workshop occurred today. The scheduled time was 1.5 hours (that was perfect); 4 yoga studio folks attended
My take aways:
- they were knowledgeable about healthcare and EOL decision making issues
- 2 had completed advance directives
- other 2 had not ‘gotten to’ their advance directives
- all 4 had stories to share and were interested in learning more
All 4 were pleased to:
- hear others’ stories
- hear the statistics – see below
- learn about the tools that are readily available – see links below
- … especially about how to approach EOL issues for those with dementia
- 2 plan to engage in EOL conversations with others
- all plan to complete or update their advance directives
- they all liked that there were action items and tools available
- all plan to recommend this EOL Conversation Salon to others
- suggestions to add to title: ‘Take the mystery and anxiety out of EOL decision making; Get tools, Feel empowered’
Stats shared: (from The Conversation Project website)
- An estimated 80% of people do not have the deaths they desired
- 75% of people want to die at home, 25% do
- 92% of people say that talking with their loved ones about EOL care is important
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- 32% have actually had those conversations
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- 80% of people say that if seriously ill, they would want to talk to their doctor about EOL, treatments, etc
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- 18% report have had that conversation
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- 95% are willing or want to talk about EOL
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- 37 % have actually done so
- 21 % fear this would upset loved ones
- 53% say they would be relieved if a loved one started the conversation
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- 97% say it’s important to put wishes in writing
- 62% of bankruptcies are associated with medical expenses – primarily around EOL
- 43% of Medicare pts spend > their total assets, out of pocket, on medical expenses
Resources shared with attendees in a follow up email to each:
- The Conversation Project
https://theconversationproject.org
“The Conversation Project is a public engagement initiative with a goal that is both simple and transformative: to have every person’s wishes for end-of-life care expressed and respected. Too many people die in a manner they would not choose, and too many of their loved ones are left feeling bereaved, guilty, and uncertain.”
- Death over Dinner– Let’s Have Dinner and Talk about Death by Michael Hebb
Website https://deathoverdinner.org/
TED talk https://deathoverdinner.org/#ted-talk
- Healthcare Proxy- (Medical Power of Attorney or Power of Attorney for Healthcare)
- Dear Medical Advocate – letter:
‘With Dementia, more is needed that a Boilerplate Advance Directive’
A letter by one who has dementia; a letter written by Katy Butler that acts as a template for letters one might write to family members or care providers and can be attached to one’s Advance Directives in anticipation of dementia.
- Advance Directive Form –A general term for any written healthcare instruction specifying your wishes and/or naming a proxy. “Living Will”, Final Wishes” Access your state’s form online.
- POLST form– Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment; to be applied when closer to dying
https://capolst.org/polst-for-healthcare-providers/forms/
Onward we go! These conversations give us tools, control and comfort.