Some time ago, I attended a Death Cafe hosted by Death Doula Glenn Harper at the Olympia Senior Center. I had no idea what to expect and would have been surprised at any conversation that took place with the possible exception of the one main theme that day — “The Talk”.
The discussion was on the lack of talk about and/or plans made between family members and their elders on life-ending wishes. It was widely reported that younger family members were very reluctant to engage in this type of conversation, while the older generation felt the time had come and the information was important to share.
Several attendees remarked that their kids said make a will and we will follow it. But the will is read after death and some of the most important decisions must be made before. Do you want lifesaving methods used if you are found unconscious? Or how about life sustaining support systems?
Without a spouse, these decisions will fall to the next family member if there is no medical directive form completed and on file with your doctor and/or hospital. These decisions are very important so for free forms and instructions on medical directives, click here.
First Annual Death Care & Life Transitions Expo at South Sound Event Manor, 455 North St. SE in Tumwater on March 15 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Glenn Harper, through his nonprofit Elderhood Senior Alliance, is guiding us through this uncomfortable subject in a comfortable setting with family members.
This is a chance to join professionals in death care, grief care, assisted living and elder counseling/guidance services in a candid and open discussion about life's most challenging issues.
Hear from and meet people in our community who provide assistance with end-of-life issues, including in-home care, assisted living, hospice, death doulas, Olympia Threshold Singers and others.
This is your chance to get information, ask questions, and hear about what others are thinking and doing in order to make the last chapter of life the best possible for themselves and their loved ones.
10:10 a.m. What is a Death Cafe?: Glenn Harper, a local end of life caregiver and facilitator of four monthly Death Cafes, gives a brief history of Death Cafes and what attendees can expect.
10:20 a.m. What is a Death Doula?: Jenée Jenkins-Wolfram, a local certified End of Life Doula with Let It Be Quietus, talks about the emerging role of doulas in end-of-life care and the specific services she provides.
10:40 a.m. What is Hospice?: Karen Lohman, a former hospice chaplain with decades of experience shares her knowledge regarding the value and limitations of hospice services.
11 a.m. Modern funeral alternatives/options: Clair Ferris, of Funeral Alternatives talks about current trends and services being offered to help families honor their dearly departed loved ones.
11:30 a.m. Intermission: Visit with sponsors, presenters and fellow attendees. Get to know people in the growing aging and death positive community.
Noon Olympia Threshold Singers: Four local singers share their beautiful harmonies and songs sung bedside to ease the transitions of the dying out of their bodies.
12:15 a.m. Return Home and natural organic reduction (human composting): Jake Miller, pre-planning manager, shares a fascinating presentation about the process of transforming human remains to healthy soil, followed by a question and answer session.
1 p.m. Grief Support: Stephanie Larkin, author of the book, “Grief Country,” and creator of the website, seattlewidowresources.com and Brian Hatcher, bereavement specialist with Assured Hospice, share their experiences in supporting people experiencing grief and loss.
1:30 p.m. Intermission
1:45 p.m. Changes in daily living: Elizabeth Ogg, of First Light Home Care and Brooks Blessings adult family homes, talks about in-home care and adult family homes. Tara Geraci, of Guiding Seniors, talks about assessing and matching clients with living arrangements best suited to their individual needs. Tara Harton, of Fieldstone Memory Care, talks about specialized support offered for people suffering from Alzheimer’s/dementia.
2:15 p.m. Local resources, organizations and agencies.
2:30 p.m. Open forum, final remarks, break then mix and mingle and visit sponsor tables on your way out.
Visit ElderhoodSeniorAlliance.org/expo for updates on program times. Questions? Please email TESA@elderhoodsenioralliance.org
Kathleen Anderson writes her column each week from her home in Olympia. Contact her at kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comments.
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Snevets
Thank you for sharing.
Thursday, March 6 Report this