Conversations about end of life care

Why are we so scared to talk about care at the end of life? Death panels. Hospice and palliative care. Living wills. Five Wishes. It is hard to separate fact from fiction.

Besides the challenging health-care decisions associated with a severe accident or illness, everyone should have a chance to live a meaningful life in their final days and months. In addition to helping to manage pain, doctors, nurses, counselors, family members, and friends can help those with limited abilities or close to their final days to get more out of life.

Everyone knows that a will is an important document. We should all discuss the need for an advance directive (living will) as well. How would you want to live your final days? If you were involved in an accident, what types of life-saving or life-prolonging measures would you want if you were severely injured? Who would you want to make vital health-care decisions for you, if you are not able to?

Five Wishes is a project of Aging with Dignity, and it helps individuals and families to start these discussions.

• Five Wishes helps you express how you want to be treated if you are seriously ill and unable to speak for yourself.
• It is unique among all other living will and health agent forms because it speaks to all of a person's needs: medical, personal, emotional and spiritual.
• Five Wishes also helps structure discussions with your family and physician.
• It has been translated into more than twenty languages and braille.
  

Many press reports talk about how Sen. Edward Kennedy was the first of his brothers to be able to anticipate his death. Since the diagnosis of a severe brain cancer last year, Sen. Kennedy was able to get his affairs in order. This included personal, business, and legislative interests. He was also able to concentrate on the relationships and hobbies that were important to him. Sen. Kennedy continued to sail and spend time with his family and pets. His wife continued to have dinner parties at their home until close to his death.

We should all get our affairs in order. More importantly, we should start the difficult conversations with our families, and we should concentrate on living our lives to their fullest, finding meaning in each and every day.

MTA Mobility and Taxi

Access to transportation is key for older adults, as they try to go shopping, visit doctors, or even to visit family and friends.

Older adults can obtain discounted rides through the MTA Mobility/Paratransit and Taxi Access programs. MTA has lift-equipped vans which are available to take individuals shopping and to their doctor appointments. There is no additional assistance to help people into the building. Riders need to call to schedule trips in advance.

Applications are available from the MTA Mobility web site:

Mobility / Paratransit is a specialized, curb-to-curb service
for people with disabilities who are not able to ride fixed-route public
transportation, including lift-equipped buses. Mobility service is provided
within three-quarters of a mile of any fixed-route service in Baltimore City
and Baltimore & Anne Arundel counties. The term "fixed-route" refers to
Local Bus, Light Rail, or Metro Subway routes operated by the MTA. Mobility
service is not offered within three-quarters of a mile of Commuter Bus
or MARC Train routes.
Fare: The one-way cash fare on Mobility service is $1.85.

What other transportation services or programs are you using?

Meaningful Engagement for Older Adults

Many older adults who are retired are looking for meaningful ways to give back to their community or to earn extra income. At the same time, not-for-profit organizations and public agencies are looking for people with experience to help implement their programs and services. For GEDCO, retirees and community volunteers are essential to providing core programs and services. Individuals and groups can contact Rosemary Thompson at GEDCO if they are interested in volunteering with one of our programs.

• The Senior Community Service Employment Program provides part-time employment and job training for adults age 55 and older. In the Baltimore area, both Catholic Charities
  and Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland administer this program.
  
• The Baltimore City Health Department coordinates the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). The RSVP Program places individuals age 55 and older in volunteer positions with private and public agencies throughout Baltimore City.


• In Baltimore City, Greater Homewood Community Corporation, in partnership with the Johns Hopkins University Center on Aging and Health, has hosted Experience Corps since 1998. This innovative, high-impact program utilizes the time, skills, and experience of adults 55 years and older to benefit not only their own health and well-being but also to help improve educational outcomes for elementary school-aged children. The program serves students in grades K-3.


• Volunteer Central is a clearinghouse for business and community volunteers. Business Volunteers Unlimited’s Volunteer Central is the primary resource for recruiting, developing and organizing volunteers in the Greater Baltimore area.