A Good Life, A Good Death continues May16
February 22, 2018
A Good Life, A Good Death
March – May
Portsmouth Public Library
You’ve made a good life. Now plan for a good death! In cooperation with Hospice Help Foundation, a nonprofit providing financial assistance to hospice patients, and the Portsmouth Regional Hospital, the Portsmouth Public Library will host a workshop series titled A Good Life, A Good Death in March, April and May. One Wednesday per month, at 6:30 PM, these programs will help people talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement, and lay the groundwork for a good death.
Part 1: Being Mortal
Wednesday March 14, 6:30 – 8 PM
Shown in conjunction with Beacon Hospice
Please join us for a special screening of the groundbreaking PBS special based upon Atul Gawande’s best-selling book. The movie explores the relationships doctors have with patients who are nearing the end of life, and shows how doctors — himself included — are often remarkably untrained, ill-suited and uncomfortable talking about chronic illness and death with their patients. Followed by a Q&A session with a panel of end of life specialists.
Part 2: Demystifying Advance Care Planning
Wednesday April 11, 6:30 – 8 PM
Presented by Kate Swenson MSN RN CHPN CNL M.Ed
Join us to understand the nuances of Advance Directives and the importance of having “the conversation.” Do you have someone to make decisions for you in the event that you can’t? Do you know what you would want for end of life care? Do your loved ones know what you would want? Kate Swenson, Palliative Care nurse at the Portsmouth Regional Hospital, has seen families struggle to make critical health care decisions on behalf of a loved one during crisis. She now works with community health care providers to better educate the public and help people make sense of the process. She will guide a discussion and there will be an opportunity for you to fill out your own Advance Directives under the guidance of professionals, and a notary public available to make them official.
Part 3: The Art of Life Stories
Wednesday May 16, 6:30 – 8 PM
Presented by Cynthia Tokos
Cynthia creates stories around the beauty of everyday people for non-profits, businesses and individuals. Her work reflects the dignity and strength of ‘heroes’ (read: ‘ordinary people’) who regularly save the day. In this hands on workshop, Cynthia will help you capture the essence of your Life Story - the gifts you bring to this world. Participants will leave with a letter, both written and using art materials if they choose, which they can gift to themselves or another as part of their legacy.
