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End of Life: You Do Have Choices!

Pasadena Village's Educational Programs Team hosted a Zoom presentation on Advanced Care Planning and End of Life Options. Kelly Newcomb of the non-profit, End of Life Choices California, was the presenter. Throughout the presentation Kelly provided information clearly and calmly and offered additional forms and resources available on their website. 

Newcomb shared that most people nearing the end of their lives would like to be at home with loved ones, have their pain or discomfort managed, know their spiritual needs are respected, and be as little of a burden to their loved ones as possible.

To help create these possibilities, all of us need to make sure that our values and wishes are known. This decreases confusion and potential family conflict. The End of Life Choices website offers many planning resources so that we can think about what our desires are, make choices, and communicate these choices to our family and medical supports.  One of the resources available to download is My End of Life Decisions Workbook. Within this workbook, Newcomb suggests filling out the Values Worksheet that begins on page 17 is an important place to start. Bruce Christensen shared, “This is a timely topic. I am thinking of making a short video of me reading and explaining my wishes to my family who are the decision makers so we are all clear on what I think is appropriate.”

Villager Sharon Jarrett shared, “I was happy to first learn that an organization such as End of Life exists and offers information on their website. I found the three elements to consider in continuing medical treatment helpful: consider the expected outcomes of treatment, are the medical options better or worse than the illness and what will the quality of life be vs. the quantity.”

During the presentation, Newcomb also explained various other documents and how recording our desires ahead of time helps shape our last days based on what we value. The documents described included: VSED Directive – Voluntarily Stopping Eating & Drinking; POLST which is an advanced care directive with a doctor’s signature; and MAID - Medical Aid in Dying.  Dick Myers offered, “I was happy to see that this option exists, but it seems that any options within this program require a diagnosis of a terminal illness other than old age.”

The difference in Palliative versus Hospice Care was also described. Palliative care is provided at any stage of a disease. Treatment may be available. Doctors and other medical professionals collaborate while one is at home, in a facility, or hospital. Insurance mostly pays for these services. Hospice, on the other hand, is aimed at those who are believed to have 6 months or less to live. The priority is comfort care.  A support team provides resources. It can be paid for by MediCal, Medicare, or insurance. 

The website and resources of End of Life Choices California are worth taking some time to browse through. While they offer many resources on the website - workbooks, videos, legal information, how to talk to your loved ones, and forms - they also offer support in many different ways, such as talking to a volunteer or having someone visit during Medically Assisted Dying. 

As in much of life, it is good to know what the options are and have time to reflect before decisions have to be made.