Resources of advice and help when having end of life conversations with family and support teams.
Watch the PBS FRONTLINE documentary
Being Mortal, based on the book by Atul Gawande, MD
The link to watch the film on-line is among the resources on this website - FREE
Watch the PBS FRONTLINE documentary
Being Mortal, based on the book by Atul Gawande, MD
The link to watch the film on-line is among the resources on this website - FREE
The conversation we should all have is starting all over the country. What conversation, you may be asking? Some know it as advance care planning. Author, lecturer and physician Atul Gawande and many others are asking questions and researching what happens when the medical system, in its effort to save lives, provides care to seriously ill or dying people who don’t want it.
Watch this film by yourself and with your family before a crisis happens so that you can share your preferences and document your wishes right now. And mention the film to your doctors to let them know your welcome upfront and honest conversations on these dificult topics.
Do you want to be kept alive regardless of the quality of life you may have? Will the money your family has saved be used to keep you or another loved one alive, even if your life quality is gone and only a heartbeat remains? You may not be able to express what is important to you later-on, so let your loved ones know what you want so they will be able to make the best decisions on your behalf.
Dr. Gawande tells the story of how he and other care givers had difficulty talking with patients and families who struggled with decisions about what mattered most to them in their end-of-life journey. Do you only want to hear the hopeful but unlikely outcome of yet another proceedure? Both professionals and family members are reluctant to bring up the topics that could have made that end-of-life time easier and more meaningful for everyone.
We have some suggestions to make it easier to bring up the topics with your family:
Talking about the future isn't just for and about the elderly and frail members of your family. Hospitals are full of families forced to make tough and never discussed decisions about and for loved ones of all ages.
Dave Savage and Beverly Molander - Authors and speakers: advice, connections and resources for end of life decisions. Heartfelt Memorial Services: Your Guide for Planning Meaningful Funerals Celebrations of Life and Times of Remembrance.
Available in digital and print on Amazon
We also welcome calls where we can share personalized information and send content that is not in our book.
404 323-8686 (Jacksonville Florida)
Dave@DaveSavage.com davesavage.com
Watch this film by yourself and with your family before a crisis happens so that you can share your preferences and document your wishes right now. And mention the film to your doctors to let them know your welcome upfront and honest conversations on these dificult topics.
Do you want to be kept alive regardless of the quality of life you may have? Will the money your family has saved be used to keep you or another loved one alive, even if your life quality is gone and only a heartbeat remains? You may not be able to express what is important to you later-on, so let your loved ones know what you want so they will be able to make the best decisions on your behalf.
Dr. Gawande tells the story of how he and other care givers had difficulty talking with patients and families who struggled with decisions about what mattered most to them in their end-of-life journey. Do you only want to hear the hopeful but unlikely outcome of yet another proceedure? Both professionals and family members are reluctant to bring up the topics that could have made that end-of-life time easier and more meaningful for everyone.
We have some suggestions to make it easier to bring up the topics with your family:
- Suggest that you share and record the family stories that come to mind when you look over the albums and shoe boxes filled with old family photos to get the conversation going.
- Ask what your family members remember about the end-of-life journey and funerals of loved ones. Talk about what worked and what didn't work so that family member can decide what kind of quality and care they want for themselves.
- Make sure that 'advanced care directives' are filled out and signed so there is no question as to what the medical team should do.
- Make copies of the advanced care directive so that every family member and member of the medical care team can refer to it when it matters most -- at the crucial end of life.
Talking about the future isn't just for and about the elderly and frail members of your family. Hospitals are full of families forced to make tough and never discussed decisions about and for loved ones of all ages.
Dave Savage and Beverly Molander - Authors and speakers: advice, connections and resources for end of life decisions. Heartfelt Memorial Services: Your Guide for Planning Meaningful Funerals Celebrations of Life and Times of Remembrance.
Available in digital and print on Amazon
We also welcome calls where we can share personalized information and send content that is not in our book.
404 323-8686 (Jacksonville Florida)
Dave@DaveSavage.com davesavage.com