ONLINE: Many people say they want to die peacefully at home, but the healthcare system's default is to do everything possible to keep patients alive. Thus many die in the hospital. Those able to make their own decisions often do not know how to ensure they stay in control of the dying process. For those unable to make their own decisions, generic advance directives provide little guidance to decision makers and health care providers. The course will present information about the options available to people that can help ensure they have a peaceful death on their own terms, including physician's orders for medical care outside a hospital; medical aid in dying; voluntarily stopping eating and drinking; pain control; terminal sedation; and hospice. The instructor will cover the issues that must be addressed in an advance directive, including those specific to dementia. We will also discuss methods for having fruitful conversations with physicians and family about one's end-of-life wishes. | Lecture + Q&A.
Max enrollment: 30.
Class sessions are recorded.
