Cares!, a program of the Wartburg Adult Care Community in Mount Vernon, NY, hosted a seminar on End-Of-Life Palliative Care Choices on January 29, 2012.  The program sparked engaging dialogue on a rarely-discussed topic – planning for end-of-life care. The event, co-sponsored by Compassion & Choices of New York and the Westchester End-of-Life Coalition, drew an audience of nearly 100 seniors, family caregivers, health professionals, and spiritual leaders.

Keynote Speaker David C. Leven, Executive Director of Compassion & Choices of New York and a dedicated advocate of improved end-of-life care for patients and families, presented information about pain management, hospice care, health care proxies, and advanced care directives.  His talk was interwoven with real-life examples illustrating how careful and informed end-of-life planning can make all the difference in dying comfortably and with dignity.  Mr. Leven opened his talk with the provocative comment,   “It is not a matter of when we die, but how we die.”

A panel of Wartburg staff with expertise in social work, nursing, pastoral care and clinical medicine provided insight into how these issues present themselves in eldercare settings. Seminar participants shared personal stories about experiences with the dying and posed questions to the panel on a broad range of topics including: speaking openly with loved ones about health care wishes; current and existing legislation effecting palliative care options; and what to expect when a loved has refused medication, hydration or nutrition.  The result was an honest and informative discussion about providing the “best death possible” for patients and their loved ones.

As a leading eldercare provider in Westchester County, The Wartburg recognizes end-of-life care as a critical public health issue. “The end of life is just as important as every moment leading up to it,” said Pastor Carol E.A. Fryer, the Director of Pastoral Care at The Wartburg.  “Planning for dying is not an easy subject to bring up; but it can ensure that people are able to die, as much as possible, as they wish. Family members can be at peace knowing that their loved ones were respected to the very end.” 

The End-of-Life Palliative Care Seminar is part of an emerging series presented by The Wartburg Adult Care Community that explores aging, health and long-term care options to nurture body, mind and spirit.  Prior events in this series have included “Spiritual Care for People with Memory Loss” and “Alert, Active Aging: Become Your Brain’s Best Friend.”