Igniting End-of-Life Conversations One Step at a Time
September Note From the CEO
Sep 25, 2020 September 2020 Newsletter
As the fires continue to ravage the West Coast, hurricanes threaten the Southern coastal regions, and the coronavirus gears up for round two, I can’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed by the magnitude of what is happening and the reminder that there is quite a bit over which I have no control.
I find it helps when I think about those things I do have control over and the choices that help me live the life I want to live with my family and loved ones. That is why we do what we do at Compassion & Choices.
We have been working to empower individuals to be the directors of their health and to put in place plans that ensure they receive the care they desire at the end of life — nothing more, nothing less. Our goal is to upend the provider-centric approach to healthcare and replace it with one that is patient-driven and that puts us in the driver seat of our end-of-life care.
This is particularly important for people with dementia. To commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day, we launched a campaign to raise awareness about the unique healthcare challenges people with dementia face at the end of life and to urge people to take control of their future care by documenting their care preferences now, before the disease takes hold, using our Dementia Values & Priorities Tool.
Just as importantly, we are working to reach people from diverse communities to give them the tools they need to begin the planning process. As part of this effort, we are excited to celebrate the rich cultures and achievements of Hispanic and Latino communities during Hispanic Heritage Month, which began September 15.
I hope you and your family are safe and that you are able to find the support you need during this difficult time. Please know that I am thinking of you and appreciate your support as we continue to strive for patient-directed end-of-life care.
With warmth and support,
Kim Callinan
P.S.: I hope you’ll join me in congratulating Dolores Huerta, who has advocated tirelessly for end-of-life options and who was named one of USA Today’s Women of the Century.
