Advance care planning begins with creation of advance directives. These consist of a living will and a medical power of attorney. Each state has different versions of these forms, which can be found on their department of health websites, or requested by message below. Please include your state of residency.
Compassion & Choices is an advocacy group that improves care, expands options and empowers everyone to chart their end-of-life journey. Resources for advance care planning are available on their website, including advance directives forms, state specific guidance, and assistance in beginning these conversations with family and loved ones.
"The Conversation Project® is a public engagement initiative of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). Our goal is both simple and transformative: to help everyone talk about their wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected."
Guides for beginning this important conversation are available on the website, in addition to events that may be going on in your area where you can learn more and get involved.
National advance care planning program, including option to purchase advance directive workbooks which are recognized in nearly every state. These workbooks are written in everyday language, and they address personal, spiritual, medical and legal wishes. Workbooks are available in print and digital versions, and conversation started kits can also be purchased.
Advance care planning resources and research. Links on the webpage provide education regarding elements on advance directives, including living wills and health care proxies. Planning guides, including a conversation guide are available.
In a study of 51 terminally ill patients by Johns Hopkins, 80% of participants continued to show clinically significant decreases in depressed mood and anxiety after 6 months, with about 60% showing symptom remission into the normal range. Surprisingly, 83% reported increases in well-being and life satisfaction. Even more surprisingly, 67% of participants reported the experience as one of the top five meaningful experiences in their lives and about 70% reported the experience as one of their top five spiritually significant lifetime events.
""The most interesting and remarkable finding is that a single dose of psilocybin, which lasts four to six hours, produced enduring decreases in depression and anxiety symptoms, and this may represent a fascinating new model for treating some psychiatric conditions," says Roland Griffiths, professor of behavioral biology in the Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and of Neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Studies from Johns Hopkins University and New York University have demonstrated that just one session of psilocybin combined with therapeutic exercises can lead to "meaningful and persistent reductions" in end-of-life concerns, according to Jonathan Treem, MD, an assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, who specializes in hospice and palliative care. Feelings of anxiety, depression, and the distress associated with facing death—known as existential distress—decreased rapidly, with many participants experiencing benefits that lasted for up to six months.
“Palliative care is about quality of life, how illness manifests in a person’s life – the physical, mental, social, psychological and spiritual effects. Those things should be equally attended to through the entire course of a person’s illness in partnership with medical providers. What we find with psilocybin is that it brings peace. And that’s what palliative care is meant to do”, says Treem,
"The National Home Funeral Alliance’s mission is to educate individuals, families, and communities about caring for their dead. Our primary focus is to provide guidelines and give encouragement to those who choose to care for their own dead. The NHFA believes that it is a right, and can be a privilege, to care for members of our own communities after death."
Guidebooks on home funerals are available on the website, as well as a directory to connect people with local guides, educators, and more.
"Green burial is a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact that aids in the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health, and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat. That means no embalming, no liners or vaults, and using biodegradable containers, whether caskets, shrouds or nothing at all."
The Green Burial Council has a list of natural burial grounds, cemeteries, and preserves that are committed to following conservation best practices.
"Water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, is a process used to gently transform human remains, using a combination of water, heat and alkali. Water cremation offers a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional burial and cremation methods."
This is now available in most states. More information about this option in Colorado can be found at the website below.
"Terrmation, also know as Natural Organic Reduction, is a process that transforms the human body into a nutrient-rich regenerative living soil. Terramation is our most sustainable and environmentally friendly form of disposition compared to any other method of burial or cremation."
This is now available in California, Colorado, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington with bills for legalization coming up in other states. More information about this option in Colorado can be found at the website below.
"Eternal Reefs takes the cremated remains or “cremains” of an individual and incorporates them into a proprietary, environmentally safe cement mixture designed to create artificial reef formations. The Eternal Reefs are then placed in one of our permitted ocean locations selected by the individual, friend or family member."
This is a unique alternative to simple cremation and ash scattering at sea. The website for one company that offers this services is below. More information can be found at the link.
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