No dying person should have to endure more suffering than he or she is willing to bear. However, many people die protracted deaths often in ways inconsistent with their wishes. Too many people also receive levels of care and treatment at the end of their lives that they do not want or would not want if they were fully informed of their treatment options. Patients often have bad deaths because they were not provided with palliative care or informed about hospice. Additionally, demographic differences play a role in end of life care and there are pronounced health disparities. Compared to their white counterparts, African Americans and Latinos are less likely to receive adequate pain management, hospice care, and information about end of life options. They are also less likely to have advance directives or have designated healthcare agents. The need for educational services is crucial. There is a tremendous lack of understanding and misconceptions around advance care planning, hospice, and palliative care. We plan to offer two of our most popular education programs to libraries in New York. We will offer 20 programs 6 Spanish, 14 English in libraries in 8 counties Kings, Nassau, Queens, Manhattan, Bronx, Suffolk, Albany, Westchester. Planning for a Better End of Life is a 60-minute program designed to educate 89 and caregivers about their rights and options at the end of life available in English and Spanish. Being Mortal: Rights, Choices, and Important Conversations, is a 90-minute program to promote discussion about advance care planning, treatment options, and health care rights, which includes the screening of PBS documentary Being Mortal. The overall goals of the programs are to educate 89 and caregivers; provide actionable information and resources that will improve quality of life at the end of life and promote respect of their healthcare wishes.
Project Details
End of Life Choices New York
Ayana Woods