Death – Dying – Dementia
Your life. Your values. Your plan.
Doctors’ end-of-life plans look significantly different from the average person’s.
Curious to know more?
Most people regret not engaging hospice sooner.
Want to know why?
Some interventions enhance your life; some extend your death.
Which would you choose?
to inform and empower your end-of-life choices.
I understand. Nobody wants to talk about death. But it’s too late to learn how to die well when death is knocking at your door. When it comes to dying, you only get one chance. There are no do overs.
Save yourself and your loved ones from unnecessary suffering. Stop procrastinating. Plan for a good death. Being informed is empowering. Getting caught off guard is traumatic.
Trust me. I’ve watched people go both ways.
Ready or not, death is inevitable – like an ultimate, unavoidable final exam. Many folks avoid learning about options, choices, and end-of-life possibilities until it’s too late to make educated decisions. Please don’t be one of those people. Do your homework now.
I have valuable experiences, profound insights, and professional resources about death and dying to share with you. We’ll work together – on a reasonable timeline – so you will confidently complete your directives in a matter of weeks. Let me guide you through the rough spots.
Well-prepared advance directives make it possible to die with grace and dignity. That will be important to you: no last-minute, uninformed decisions. That will be important to those you love: no guessing, power struggles, family conflict, regrets.
For a better ending and peace of mind, plan for your last days now. Let’s get started!
What exactly are advance directives?
The term “advance directives” refers to official legal documents that serve people while they are living. Your Living Will explains what kind of medical interventions you would (or would not) want if you are unable to speak for yourself.
Medical Durable Power of Attorney (MDPOA) is the companion document which names the person who has authority to advocate for the options articulated in your Living Will. Your closest kin may not be the best choice for this role. There are many things to consider. This person may not be temperamentally suited to function well in an authoritative role. They may not feel comfortable with this responsibility. They may feel conflicted about interventions you do or don’t want. They may live far away or have work or family demands that are logistically prohibitive. We will give thorough consideration to choosing your MDPOA and how to support this person should they be called into service.
Documents such as wills and trusts that have authority after a person dies are best completed with the help of an attorney.
What is the format?
Mindful Endings groups meet on Zoom every other week for five session. You will use the weeks in between sessions for fieldwork, reflection, and writing. You will be ready to file your directives nine weeks after we begin.
Throughout this process, you will:
- explore end-of-life questions and concerns informed by relevant articles, podcasts, and TED Talks
- discuss participants’ experiences with death and dying
- discover how ever-evolving advances in medical technology complicate end-of-life decisions
- consider the threshold between life-enhancing and death extending interventions
- define over-arching principles to guide yourself and your caregivers as you age
- create documents that reflect your values and provide protection for yourself and support for your survivors
The directive that you complete will be well-informed and comprehensive.
Public workshops are scheduled each fall beginning on the first Wednesday after Labor Day (in September). Workshops meet five times, every other Wednesday from 4:00-5:30 p.m. MT. Enrollment is closed for 2023.
Private groups may schedule a workshop at any time of the year (minimum of 6 participants). Contact Teri for more information.
The next public workshop is already scheduled for the fall of 2024. It will meet on the following Wednesdays 9/4, 9/18, 10/2, 10/16, 10/30 from 4:00-5:30 MT. Contact Teri to reserve your spot or for waitlist notification.
If you would prefer to do this work individually or as a couple, scheduling can be expedited to fit your needs.
What does it cost?
- Group Workshop @ $375/person. 8-12 participants. Five 90-minute sessions. Facilitator sets the schedule.
- Single $500 Five 50-minute sessions on your schedule.
- Couple $750 Five 60-minute sessions on your schedule.
See this conversation with me and group participants recorded at Foothills Unitarian Church (October 31, 2021).
