Category Archives: Advance Directives

Life Kit – upcoming workshop on June 14th

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Jim deMaine

TOOLS TO HELP YOU GET IT TOGETHER If you are attending the lecture series arranged by our Chaplain Helen McPeak about Living Well with Loss, I’d suggest you visit this NPR web site to get a head start for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Advance Directives | Comments Off on Life Kit – upcoming workshop on June 14th

Diagnosed with dementia, she documented her wishes for the end. Then her retirement home said no.

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: A common fear in aging is the onset of dementia–something not unfamiliar to all of us. Should we all have a dementia directive–the answer in my opinion is “yes.” But will it be honored–the answer is “it depends.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Advance Directives, CCRC Info, Dementia, end of life | Comments Off on Diagnosed with dementia, she documented her wishes for the end. Then her retirement home said no.

“When My Time Comes” — Diane Rehm at Town Hall

Posted on January 24, 2020 by Jim deMaine

Ed Note: Diane Rehm’s previous book and presentation at Town Hall discussed her husband’s death from voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED). She continues to explore end-of-life choices. Skyline author Tom Preston was a pioneer in patient choice in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Advance Directives, Advocacy, Aging Sites, Books, end of life | 1 Comment

Seinfeld – Kramer’s deliberation on when to “pull the plug”

Posted on April 27, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: One day in my office a Microsoft programmer told me, “Hey, if anything happens just pull the plug.” Then he smiled and went on, “But quickly plug me back in, because I’m likely to reboot.” I hope you … Continue reading →

Posted in Advance Directives, end of life, Humor, Satire | Comments Off on Seinfeld – Kramer’s deliberation on when to “pull the plug”

How my dad’s dementia changed my idea of death (and life)

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Jim deMaine
Posted in Advance Directives, Dementia, Grief, Health | Comments Off on How my dad’s dementia changed my idea of death (and life)

Washington could become the first state to legalize human composting

Posted on January 25, 2019 by Jim deMaine

Washington residents “are very excited about the prospect of becoming a tree or having a different alternative,” state Sen. Jamie Pedersen said. A process known as “recomposition” reduces human remains to compost. CAHNRS Communications / Washington State UniversityDec. 29, 2018, 10:06 … Continue reading →

Posted in Advance Directives, end of life, Essays, Law | Comments Off on Washington could become the first state to legalize human composting

What Doctors Know About CPR

Posted on December 5, 2018 by Jim deMaine

We are all signed up for CPR unless we indicate otherwise. I think we all wish for a peaceful end, much like that of President George H. W. Bush – with caring family and friends at our bedside. The alternative … Continue reading →

Posted in Advance Directives, Education, end of life, Health | Comments Off on What Doctors Know About CPR

Saying “Turn it off” after a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator is in place

Posted on July 29, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: With technology it’s often easier to say “yes” rather than “no” – or worse, saying “stop” after you said “yes.” As an ethics committee consultant, I was asked to see a dying patient on hospice who wanted his … Continue reading →

Posted in Advance Directives, Aging Sites, end of life, Science and Technology | 1 Comment

Advance Directives for Dementia – new frontier

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Jim deMaine

One of the greatest fears many have is progressive dementia. The common advance directives including the POLST form don’t effectively address these fears. A few years ago, End of Life Washington developed a fairly complicated Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Mental Health … Continue reading →

Posted in Advance Directives, end of life, Health | 2 Comments

How, or how not, to choose your health care proxy

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: This video clip is from Ellyn Goodman’s the conversation project. Click here to learn more about conversations and choices.

Posted in Advance Directives, Advocacy, end of life, Health | Comments Off on How, or how not, to choose your health care proxy

Advance Directives for dementia

Posted on January 25, 2018 by Jim deMaine

There’s a recent article in the New York Times about a new type of Advance Directive for dementia. It’s a five page attempt to help us to clarify in advance, what our wishes for medical interventions would be if we’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Advance Directives, Advocacy, end of life | Comments Off on Advance Directives for dementia