Here is another recent podcast with Death by Design

The concept of “Death by Design” is to inspire individuals and their families to create a blueprint for an inevitable journey that reflects the beauty of life and the positive destination of end of life.

Episode 32: Phyllis Shacter, Author/ Advocate of VSED

Each of these podcasts have felt very unique because the interviewers have been asking me different questions. Here is the info to the Death by Design podcast I did last week. I hope you enjoy it.

August 03, 2017 – Death by Design podcast: Episode 32: Phyllis Shacter, Author/ Advocate of VSED. Applying her vast experience as a storyteller to her passion, Kimberly C. Paul is radically changing the way people face end of life. The concept of “Death by Design” is to inspire individuals and their families to create a blueprint for an inevitable journey that reflects the beauty of life and the positive destination of end of life.

 

 

Honoring Dementia Patients In End Of Life

It is challenging to talk about end of life options with someone who already has dementia. If they are in the early to mid stages of dementia and are still mentally competent this article will help guide you to have better conversation with your loved one. Discuss how the person with dementia thinks about death. How do they see themselves passing? If a health directive has not been completed yet, it is essential to do so now. All wishes should be written down so that when the time comes, all of the loved ones and caregivers are on the same page.

Because my husband and I had so much conversation about his end of life choices, he had a peaceful passing.

Because my husband and I had so much conversation about his end of life choices, he had a peaceful passing. He had a thorough health directive at the time of his death. He had the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Advance Directive  (End of Life WA state).  We were well informed. Different states have different requirements for end of life papers. There are many sites that will help you find the right directive for you in your state.

For more explanation and details about my husband’s personal passing the section Alan’s Transition on my website .

How to Talk about End-of-Life Care When a Loved One Has Alzheimer’s Disease

When my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, instead of living into the late stages, he chose to vsed. I was his advocate. We discussed everything. He had excellent support. In order for my husband to have a good quality of death there was a lot to talk about. Being able to comfortably talk about end of life is essential in order to prepare for a good quality of death.. Informing ourselves and others without judgment is key to living a good life and having a good death. Cultivating support systems will help yourself and others.

This article reiterates the difficulty of discussing end of life with someone in every stage of Alzheimer’s disease and how you can try to communicate how they want to leave their body

The Conversation Project is a great resource for end of life preparation and support.

How to Talk about End-of-Life Care When a Loved One Has Alzheimer’s Disease