A Resolution of a Lifetime

It’s that time of year . . . to make good on resolutions. If you resolved that 2016 would be the year to get your “affairs” in order, Frasier Meadows is hosting an opportunity to prepare to have conversations with your family and your physician about your end-of-life care wishes.

Tuesday, January 26th, 2016
6:30-8 pm
Frasier Meadows Retirement Community
Sky Lounge, 5th Floor
350 Ponca Place, Boulder
Refreshments will be served
$10 suggested donation

Many of us make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, exercise more, drink less wine or eat less (or more) chocolate. While these resolutions hold promise for improving your life, what might you resolve to do that could improve your death? We contend that identifying your values and talking to your family about them improves your chances of receiving the kind of care that you want when, and if, you cannot speak for yourself. You are not alone if you find conversations about death to be unappealing. This piece from the national Conversation Project newsletter may ring true with you: Ten Reasons You Tell Yourself Why You Don't Need To Have The Conversation.

OK….so it is tough to have these conversations. However, more distressing would be disagreements about your care which can result in lasting tension between your family members.

Begin to prepare by downloading the Starter Kit by clicking here. The pdf will appear in your web browser. To download, move your cursor toward the bottom of the first page and click on the download icon to download the pdf to your computer.

We have coaches who can help you. Contact us at info@theconversationprojectinboulder.org.

Since the inception of The Conversation Project in Boulder County in 2013, we have reached 3,723 people among 140 audiences with our message. We welcome requests and invite you to contact us with ideas for 2016 presentations.

What can you do help us “foster meaningful and effective conversations about end-of-life care” in 2016?

Donate! Contributions enable us to spread the word! (The Conversation Project in Boulder County is a 501(c)(3) with The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County serving as our fiscal sponsor.)

Donate by clicking here!

Suggest speaking opportunities for groups, large and small
Pass this newsletter on to family and friends
Make good on your resolution to talk to your family. Download and complete the Starter Kit and have “the conversation."

The Conversation Project in Boulder County is Featured in the Colorado Health Foundation newsletter

We were delighted to have our story told to readers across the state of Colorado. Thank you to Carolyn Shepherd and Sandy Younghans for sharing family stories about having “the conversation.” Read the story by clicking here.

Health Care Providers now reimbursed for visits to discuss end-of-life care options

The Conversation Project Starter Kit will help you identify your values and prepare for meaningful and effective conversations with your family and your health care provider. Medicare will now reimburse your provider for visits in which this topic is the sole purpose of the visit. This recent article in the New York Times (click here to read) offers commentary on the background of this important change in the Medicare rules.

Note: Many private insurances and HMOs already cover advance care planning visits. If you need help preparing for a visit with your provider, contact us and one of our coaches can help you. There is no charge for this service. Donations welcome.

Naropa University Convening Event
January 8-9, 2016
7:30 pm Friday, 9 am-5 pm Saturday
Naropa University
Nalanda Events Center
6287 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder

Reimagining Death and Dying: Changing the Way We Care
Jean Abbott, MD, MH, of The Conversation Project in Boulder County (a sponsor) and the Center for Bioethics and Humanities at the Anschutz Medical campus, will present a workshop entitled “Roadways for Collaborating with the Healthcare System.” Kim Mooney CT, will talk about "The Alchemy of Grief as Birthright." For details about cost and registration, click here.

Have a nice holiday season. If you have not already done so, we hope that you will commit to having “the conversation” in the New Year.

Jean Abbott and Constance Holden

Co-founders

info@theconversationprojectinboulder.org

www.theconversationprojectinboulder.org

1123 Spruce St, Boulder, CO 80302