The difference a conversation can make

By Roberta Geidner, CEO, RGA Consulting Services

In 1789, Benjamin Franklin said that “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” (Letter to John Baptiste Le Roy, November 13, 1789)

We recognize the reality of taxes on April 15th, yet most of us are not comfortable with any conversation about what is needed to help us with death and dying. In 1990, however, through the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990 passed by the US Congress, we began to understand the need for conversations to prepare for end-of-life wishes to be honored.

Eventually, Nathan A. Kottkamp, JD, MA(Bioethics) founded National Healthcare Decisions Day on April 16th to recognize the extraordinary failure of individuals to make their healthcare wishes known. The majority of us have suffered needlessly and caused considerable heartbreak for our loved ones or the important people in our lives as a result.

As the Aging Inspired Advance Care Planning (ACP) Coalition of Lebanon County observes the importance of National Healthcare Decisions Day, we recognize it is critically important to spread the information of how to have these conversations with your family, loved ones, or important people in your life. Your physicians and others who will care for you also need to know this information so they can honor your goals and values for end-of-life care.

For the last six years, the ACP Coalition has developed programming that we offer to any community organization, church, group or individual. We offer programs on advance care planning, palliative care services and hospice care, dementia, and the impact of not having advance directives completed before the loss of capacity, caregiving for those terminally ill, and other programs. We have also provided opportunities to groups to play the Hello Game® or participate in a Death Cafe®.

As a result, hundreds of Lebanon County residents have taken action to ensure that they have critical conversations about their goals and values for end-of-life care, and then have completed their Living Will and Power of Attorney for Healthcare documents (advance directives).Our next program, “And After I am Gone???”, will be in collaboration with Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory in Annville for anyone who wishes to learn about what to do after they are gone. We will cover advance care planning principles, spiritual and religious planning, and how to ensure your legal, financial, and funeral/burial planning is in place so your loved ones are not burdened by decisions that are conflicting and difficult in this time of emotional crisis.

Do not let your death be even more heartbreaking and difficult because you failed to have the conversation and plan ahead. Even if you cannot imagine what your death may be like or when it will happen, you can share what is most important to you and what gives your life meaning. From having my mother, father, husband, and very dear friends die over the last few decades, I can share first-hand what a difference these conversations can make for you and the people you care about the most.

Join the Advance Care Planning Coalition of the Aging Inspired Coalition of Lebanon County, an initiative of the Community Health Council of Lebanon County and Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory in Annville on April 15th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a very engaging and enlightening discussion with a panel of experts. Register for the evening by calling Christian Kreamer at 717-867-4811 or emailing him at christian@kreamerfuneralhome.org.

Don’t be scared, squeamish, confused or in denial. Come learn how to start “the conversation,” and how to put your plans in place for the future.