Aging, Dying & End-of-Life

Most of us tend to avoid discussions about aging, dying and end-of-life issues — until they become urgent concerns that demand immediate attention. Then we may find ourselves blindsided and overwhelmed.

By avoiding these taboo topics, we miss out on the opportunity to be prepared, both emotionally and practically, for the inevitable. Engaging in thoughtful discussions with others helps us clarify what we want and make informed decisions about healthcare and other end-of-life wishes. We can then move on to have the necessary conversations with those who matter.

While I help clients with these issues in my private practice, I also offer interactive, small groups called Let’s Talk where we openly address the final phase of life.

During these sessions, whether in person or via Zoom, we explore emotional and practical preparation for the last chapter of our lives. Topics covered may include but are not limited to:

By ignoring these uncomfortable topics, we miss the opportunity to prepare for the inevitable — emotionally, spiritually and practically. Engaging in thoughtful discussions with others helps us:

  • Clarify our beliefs, fears and wishes surrounding dying and death. We’ll do an easy exercise that will suggest things we may not have thought of.

  • Make informed decisions about healthcare and other end-of-life wishes. For example, who is the best choice for my healthcare advocate and why (it may not be who you think).

  • Initiate crucial conversations with those who matter — family, friends and legal representatives — preparing them for the inevitable and ensuring our wishes are respected later.

  • Explore a variety of resources , including a recommended guide to compile the practical information our loved ones or executors will need when the time comes.

Together we create a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts, concerns, and experiences. Our communal knowledge, wisdom, resources and insights empower one another as we navigate the path of aging and end-of-life.

Let’s Talk About Aging, Dying & Death

A facilitated small-group exploration with practical take-aways

Upcoming

Three Wednesdays: 8/14, 8/21, 8/28/2024
10:30 am—Noon
Marin County, CA, with Lynn Rogers & Jo Anne Smith

Contact me for details and to register

What People Are Saying About Let’s Talk

  • To be perfectly honest, I didn’t think I “needed” to take a course called “Living and Dying”. Having been the executor for my parents, I’d already learned a lot the hard way. But this course gave me so much more than I ever expected. Yes, I appreciated the resources provided—they were a needed kick in the pants to put my best intentions into action. But the company of the class and instructors proved to be the real delight—we shared stories, traded experiences and ideas, talked frankly about our end of life fears and hopes, and discussed our various situations. Sometimes we teared up. More often, we laughed and learned. I heartily recommend “Let’s Talk About Living and Dying”. You won’t regret it!

    VICKIE JENSEN, Vancouver, BC, Canada

  • I recently participated in the “Living and Dying” workshop held on Zoom. I am so happy I chose to do this workshop. It was very fulfilling in its ease, openness and inspiration. I am usually uncomfortable in group situations, but found myself at ease and even sharing authentically my concerns and gratitudes regarding aging and dealing with the logistics gracefully. The group was full of gracious support and encouragement for all. I feel I came away from it with a solid foundation of how to “put my house in order” AND a beautiful reminder to ENJOY each moment in the NOW. I highly recommend the workshop for all and especially those who shy away from the conversation of how to deal with death and how to live life….with all it many blessings. Also, I feel the group was so open that I could comfortably contact anyone if the need/desire arose, and that is a direct result of the beautiful mentoring from Jo Anne and Lynn.”

    PAMELA WATSON, AZ

  • Thank you so very much for all the organizing and research you put into making our “Let’s Talk” workshop over these last 3 weeks so informative and interesting! I truly wasn’t expecting to come away from each meeting with so many questions about my own end of life preparation to contemplate and to see how much I still have to do to be prepared for my own eventual death. I thought I was in good shape in this conversation, having all of my paperwork for our executor completed and delivered to him, but I now realize that what I’ve done to prepare only just touches the surface of the many more meaningful details and conversations that need to be had to be truly complete and to leave my affairs in such a way that my family is not left with a big burden upon my death. There is much more to tend to and this class makes this topic all the more urgent for me to handle! I hope you will continue to offer classes like these as they are so vitally important for all of us as we grow older and as we have less time to waste or procrastinate with these preparations. Well done!! Thank you!

    KIMBERLY ALTMAN, Puerto Vallarta, MX

  • I really want to thank you both for the wonderful seminar about “Aging, Living & Dying”. The timing on the subject matter was perfect. It seems to be the topic of conversation with my friends who also need guidance about future decisions. One main objective that you encouraged was to arrange to have “the talk” with immediate family. When I return to Atlanta, I have invited my children and their spouses for Brunch to discuss this subject. (Feed them, and they will come!) In reality, the children need to get their paper work in order too. This is a challenge for me and for them, but it needs to be addressed. I am not sure I could have or would have taken this important step if I had not participated in this group.

    PEGGY SLOTKIN, Atlanta, GA

  • How many of us have a bad case of the “Mañanas” when it comes to dealing with our “sacred rite of passage”?  The four-week discussion, “Let’s Talk About Living and Dying,” forced me to define what was important to me in my final time — as simple as getting my Living Will (End of Life Care) instructions to my medical doctor to as complex as facing the overwhelming medical system in the USA.  We talked openly about everything connected with end of life. The Planner introduced by the leaders was a simple and comprehensive outline organizing the important data. It was very rewarding to explore the topic with others and to glean resources from the group. Our leaders, Lynn Rogers and Jo Anne Smith, skillfully and tactfully kept us on track. I successfully emerged with a concrete notebook easily accessible to those responsible for my care. Everything in one place!   

    BONITA MOTT, Green Valley, AZ