End-of-Life Navigation

Heartbreaking and real. A must read if you are interested in the complexity of getting old and dying in this time. Although it's based in the UK I have no no doubt that there are similar situations happening in many other countries.

Meet The Woman Making Dead People Go

"What he discovered astounded him. Over 80% of his patients no matter what walk of life, background or age group they came from had end-of-life experiences that seemed to entail more than just strange dreams. These were vivid, meaningful and transformative. And they always increased in frequency near death."

Time is not on our side, adds Dr. Collins. Searching for efficiencies is always a valuable exercise, but we are beyond the point where tinkering around the edges will solve this problem. Our window of opportunity to re-set how we care for and support seniors is now.

A great program!

"Guilt and shame are two prevailing emotions surrounding COVID-19. This guilt stems in part from the fact that anyone could be a potential carrier of the virus so anyone, then, could unwittingly pass it to another person."

This post contains many resources and ideas for supporting grieving people. It's a good one to save to refer back to in the future.

So much has changed since this was written but I hope and believe that the Irish won't loose their traditions and perspectives on death. "To be truly human is to bear the burden of our own mortality and to strive, in grace, to help others carry theirs; sometimes lightly, sometimes courageously. In communally accepting death into our lives through the Irish wake we are all able to relearn the first and oldest lessons of humanity. How to be brave in irreversible sorrow. How to reach out to the dying, the dead and the bereaved. How to go on living no matter how great the rupture or loss. How to face your own. And how, like Sonny, to teach your children to face their death too."

A must read. "A consequential law is proceeding swiftly in Parliament, but mostly under the radar of Canadians, who have a lot on their minds these days."

"This work could help tease out how seasonal changes influenced mortality in societies around the world."

She’s 98. And the isolation and loneliness came over her in a river of tears at my visit. Not able to see her son or daughter for 6 weeks. She wants to die.... Because at 98 the waiting is too much. I offered to FaceTime her son. She cried more. She wanted a real hug. I in my PPE said enough. I too bent over into her arms she wrapped so tight around me. I broke the rule. I hugged her till she could breathe. We both had a healing. I’d do it again. Love matters most. The older folks in long term care haven’t been touched or hugged. It’s causing failure to thrive. Hugs are a necessary part of living. - shared from a nurse See more

"An obvious truth has been exposed: In viral warfare, humanity is as strong as its weakest link. Our collective survival depends on an ability to develop a far greater appreciation for the direct relationship between universal health and social justice. "

Very touching. A clear eyed look at death. Karry Sawatsky does a great job of demonstrating the work of a death doula.

"A difficult emotional experience can feel like being thrown into the ocean. You’re drowning, you don’t know how to swim; you don’t even know which way is up and which is down. This is where I meet my callers, and I help them find their bearings."