End of Life Choice:
Options & Autonomy
Saturday, Feb. 17
8:30 am - 3 pm
A Free Educational Symposium
at the Montpelier Senior Activity Center
58 Barre Street, Montpelier, Vermont
One special aspect of the event will be the intimate sharing of two personal stories. In the morning, Peggy and Samantha Stevens share the story of their husband and father, Eric's process of dying (also captured in a documentary film by Stephen Kastner).
And, during lunch, Rob Mermin shares the story of his best friend, Bill Morancy, who received a terminal cancer diagnosis and chose to die using Vermont's Act 39 protocol (the story of which was produced by Erica Heilman on Rumblestrip last year).
AGENDA
8:30 am Welcome - registration, refreshments and resource tables
9:00 am Opening remarks - Janna Clar, Director, Montpelier Senior Activity Center and Betsy Walkerman, President, Patient Choices Vermont
9:10 am Eric's Story - Peggy and Samantha Stevens
A family's experience with medically assisted death.
9:30 am History of autonomy at the end of life - Betsy Walkerman, President, Patient Choices Vermont
9:45 am Topic Tables (20 min per table)
-
Act 39 in Vermont - Betsy Walkerman
-
Palliative care and sedation - Jonna Goulding MD, Director of Palliative Medicine, Central Vermont Medical Center
-
The Hospice Team - Jewelene Griffin RN, Director of Hospice and Palliative Care at Central VT Home Health and Hospice
10:45 am Break
11:00 am Bringing it all together - Roni Coleman (facilitator), Mediator, Homeshare Now
12:00 Lunch with Rob Mermin - Rob's story about the death of a friend
(optional advance-purchased lunch, or bring your own brown bag)
1:00 pm Deeper Dives (options)
-
Understanding Advance Directives - Cindy Bruzzese, Executive Director, Vermont Ethics Network
-
Palliative and comfort care - Dr. Jonna Goulding, Jewelene Griffin RN
-
How to Talk to a Doctor - Betsy Walkerman
2:00 pm Reflections and Closing
3:00 pm Safe travels!
Plan to join us as we participate in a discussion of End of Life Choice: Options & Autonomy, hosted by the Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St. in Montpelier. The event is open to the public so feel free to bring friends and family. Advance registration and an optional $12 lunch reservation is requested by February 13, but not required if you plan to bring a bag lunch.
Share this event on Facebook...
This event is co-sponsored by the Montpelier Senior Activity Center and Patient Choices Vermont. RSVP by calling 802.223.2518 and visit montpelier-vt.org/msac for more information.
United States