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Having my say for the end of my stay

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We launched our end-of-life study series "Having My Say for the End of My Stay" last month in Scotia's Presbyterian Church. Twenty-four people attended the first session led by guest presenters David Salter, MD, co-chair of the St. Joseph Hospital Bio-Ethics Committee; Mary Ann Hanson, St. Joseph social worker; and Glenn Sipma, retired Humboldt County coroner.

The dialog began with an exploration of how best to begin preparation and planning for the medical and physical realities of the "death event" we will each inevitably experience. Death is, after all, an event without which life is not "whole" or complete.

Avoiding preparation and planning is either to pretend that death will not come to us or to declare that we prefer to dump on someone else the task of dealing with all the complexities and decisions about our mortal remains after our demise.

It is highly desirable early on to develop a personal philosophy and internalized view of life which encompasses and embraces death not as an enemy, resented and feared, but as a natural part of the ebb and flow of our multi-dimensional existence. To delay this spiritual, emotional, mental and financial preparation until some life-threatening condition has been diagnosed and confirmed is far too late to begin the planning process for a smooth transition from this earthly realm.

Becoming, as early as possible, a knowledgeable and responsible partner with your medical advisors in your condition and care is essential. Being "on record" with your physician with a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care or with a Declaration under the California Natural Death Act (either document) completed, appropriately authorized, reviewed with immediate family members and readily available in the event of future crisis, trauma and/or impending death, is invaluable. It clearly articulates your personal wishes to all concerned at such time as you cannot speak for yourself.

In cases where death is sudden, accidental, or its cause is uncertain, the coroner's office performs many important functions required by law and is also invested with significant authority to safeguard and protect data, remains, evidence and personal or real property of the deceased until all requirements for legal disposition have been met. This special category of traumatic or uncertain cause of death was largely de-mystified for us by the expert coroner on the panel, Glenn Sipma.

Presentations were well received and a lively question and answer period followed. We shared much useful information. Four subsequent sessions are planned in this series, each one dealing with other important end-of-life matters. All people are cordially invited to attend. There is no charge.

Remaining sessions in September included inventory of required legal papers and passage through a final illness.

The group will meet at Goble's Mortuary in Fortuna Oct. 3 to review the mortuary's role. On Oct. 10 at Scotia Presbyterian Church we will explore personal planning for the final commitment and celebration. The study sessions are at 2 p.m.

One-time article Copyright 1998 by Humboldt Senior Resource Center.