Brickstone Resident Drives ‘Final Chapter’ Educational Series
Many people try their best to avoid thinking about, talking about, or addressing the need to plan for end-of-life. Jay Bourne is not one of those people. The Brickstone by St. John’s resident knows that putting off these important conversations and failing to thoroughly prepare can bring difficult consequences for the person, their loved ones, and those providing care for them. Although he and his wife did have advance directives in place when she became sick in 2000, he now realizes that was not enough. “You have to ask yourself ‘what really matters to you?’” says Jay. “We didn’t do that.”
As a result, Jay worked closely with St. John’s Elder Advocate Chantel Foster to develop a series of programs addressing the financial, medical, and spiritual issues pertinent to end-of-life. The most recent program as part of Preparing for your Final Chapter—“Advance Directives and MOLST”—was held in Brickstone’s Wintergarden on January 11 and led by Dr. Patricia Bomba, Vice President of Geriatrics and Medical Director at Excellus. Dr. Bomba spent almost two hours explaining specific advance directives that older adults need to have in place to help ensure that their end-of-life preferences are considered by family and medical providers. Dr. Bomba spent significant time discussing the bright pink MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatments) forms, as she is the chair of the MOLST statewide implementation team. She also explained the differences between hospice (begins after treatment has stopped) and palliative care (begins at time of diagnosis or during treatment).
Both Jay and Chantel were pleased with Wednesday’s turnout of 30-35 residents from Brickstone and St. John’s Meadows. Jay takes this opportunity to help his friends at St. John’s begin or continue their own individual conversations on end-of-life issues very personally. He also plans on organizing another program in the spring focusing on writing meaningful letters to loved ones before it is too late. As Jay puts it, “I’m in this for the long haul.”
Upcoming programs open to St. John’s residents and their friends:
January 19: “What is an Ethical Will and planning for your end-of-life” with URMC Chaplain Rev. James Grobe
January 24: “Burning the Candle at Both Ends: A Caregivers Guide to end-of-life” with Sabrina Vogler, LMSW
January 25: “Mindfully Finding the Caregiver Within” with Sabrina Vogler, LMSW
*All programs are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in the Horizons Room at Brickstone by St. John’s. RSVP to Chantel Foster at 242-7009.