End of Life Education will meet on Thursday, April 16, with two different presentations.
At 1:15 p.m., Pete Albo, a funeral director, will join us with information and loving support. At 2:15 p.m., emergency medical technicians will bring large dolls to learn and practice the most effective resuscitation techniques.
End of Life Education will meet at 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of April at the Community United Methodist Church at 434 Lewis St. It is not a Methodist Church activity. Anyone from the Pagosa Springs community and Archuleta County is welcome to attend.
Use the convenient parking lot with the side entrance into the kitchen and fellowship hall. (The main doors into the church remain locked.)
The program will begin at 1 p.m. with time for visiting, coffee, tea and treats, if someone brings something to share. It was decided that the official program should end between 2:30 and 3 p.m., but people can remain in the fellowship hall for socializing, discussions, support, etc. until 4 p.m.
Our programs are nondenominational and free, but people attending can bring canned food for the church pantry or make a cash donation in appreciation for using the room. Attendance varies for each program, so feel welcome to come anytime and bring friends or anyone who might benefit from the topic.
We have not set the date for a detailed talk presented by a local doctor about the Colorado state laws about medical aid for the end of life. People need to be within six months of passing and meet other requirements. We will soon have the date, and hopefully two different times and locations.
We are also awaiting the date to hear about new amazing ways to turn the deceased human body into usable soil and water that can then be returned for the family garden or other uses. There are ways that are much better for the environment than cremation and burial, and soon will be taking their place.
We have begun filling out the paperwork for end of life that is given in the booklet “Your Right to Make Healthcare Decisions.”
You may get a copy and start working on it. Federal law requires that you must be given information on advance directives at the time you are admitted by any hospital, nursing home, HMO, hospice, home health care or personal care program that receives federal funds (Medicare).
We have used this booklet as part of our program so people can get a heads up on the paperwork rather than waiting until a more stressful time. There is also the form to fill out for do not resuscitate that is important to have completed and stored on your refrigerator.
On April 30 at 1 p.m. we will be meeting with Archuleta County Coroner Brad Hunt. If you have any questions about death, he may have the answer. He will talk about his job, new laws and requirements, and any questions you have. He has a great deal of important information.
End of Life Education can be difficult, but we have found that it is quite valuable and helpful to many people who are trying to look at death as a necessary part of life.
Our culture has much to learn about the entire subject. We will be scheduling time for sharing thoughts and feelings to develop new attitudes. There is so much we can learn. If we as caring people work together, we can help ourselves and each other learn and grow to have a better life.
Joan Mieritz is making these arrangements and can always use your help and support. We need help with setup before and cleanup after the program. Just show up to help.
We hope to see you to learn about the end of life to hopefully make each day of your life better.
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