IN PERSON: Seventy percent of people 65 and older will need long-term care (LTC) at some point as they age. About 20% of deaths are sudden, and for the remainder, the dying process can take weeks or even months. Despite these inevitabilities, few of us take the time to learn about our options for maintaining a high quality of life should we need LTC and remaining comfortable at the end of life (EOL). As a result, decisions about LTC and EOL care are often made in a crisis without sufficient information and can be contrary to a person’s wishes. For your sake and that of your family, it's essential you understand the options, discuss them with potential surrogate decision makers and develop a plan along with a durable power of attorney for health care to ensure that your wishes will be honored. This four-week, lecture-based course will provide students with the information needed to write a comprehensive advance directive. Students should read or be familiar with Atul Gawande’s book “Being Mortal.” | Lecture + Q&A.
Max enrollment: 12.
Location: Judea Reform Congregation, 1933 W. Cornwallis Rd, Durham NC 27705
Janet O'Keeffe, R.N., Dr.P.H., has conducted research and policy analysis in the aging, disability, health and long-term care fields for 25-plus years at AARP’s Public Policy Institute, the Public Policy Office of the American Psychological Association, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Research Triangle Institute. She also has professional and personal experience providing long-term care and end-of-life care.