February Digest
“A few conclusions become clear when we understand this: that our most cruel failure in how we treat the sick and the aged is the failure to recognize that they have priorities beyond merely being safe and living longer; that the chance to shape one’s story is essential to sustaining meaning in life; that we have the opportunity to refashion our institutions, our culture, and our conversations in ways that transform the possibilities for the last chapters of everyone’s lives.”
― Atul Gawande, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
Photo of Neskowin at dawn by Josh Cronin, 2024. Filter added by JJ.
Recap
The Oregon Coast was a beautiful location for a very full weekend of exploring how we might choose to care for our dead at home, in community. We gave the topic some historical context, then addressed the legal and practical aspects in Washington and Oregon. We added some hands-on simulation, bringing both weight(actual!) and levity to the experience. Some great questions and challenges came up and a few that really hovered around me throughout the following week.
Websites to have on hand for reference:
Funeral Resources & Education WASHINGTON
Funeral Resources & Education OREGON
National Home Funeral Alliance
What’s Next
We’re back at the Jacobson Homestead in Marmot March 9, 1pm - 8:30pm.
Afternoon Topic: Having conversations & navigating EOL decisions
We’re stepping back in the timeline of death and dying based on an expressed group interest in EOL decision-making, and this will be the last structured time to cover this before the end of our program. We’ll watch and discuss two short documentaries, then those who want to spend some extra time with Advance Directives will have the opportunity to do so. Next month we’ll be heading into final disposition options and their cultural, environmental and political impacts.
Evening: Dinner & Unstructured conversations with a special appearance by the Basket of Death.
Bring your dish to pass and your Advance Directive, if you’d like to work on it or need witness signatures.
Common Threads
Watch Being Mortal(54 min), Doctor Atul Gawande and author of a book by the same name, follows how real life doctors, patients and families navigate end of life conversations. This PBS Frontline Documentary is on YouTube.
Read EOL Conversations can be hard from The Conversation.(5 min)
Familiarize yourself with the Conversation Starter Kit by the Conversation Project. (30 min) Are there questions that felt challenging or that stuck out to you? Reflect on those and consider sharing with the group. I may have a few copies floating during group.
Extra Optional Threads
Beginners Guide to the End pg. 248-283/Chapter 13 Hospital Hacks.(59 min listen) Reflect on whether you would be ready to advocate for yourself or a loved one in a hospital setting. This chapter may help create a better foundation for understanding the hospital setting, staff and what to expect in the event of an unexpected stay.
Photo of hands-on body care simulation, specifically getting ready to wash the hair. By C. Kerwin 2024.