HOME - LIFE MATTERS MEDIA Our Mission Life Matters Media aims to be the premiere provider of information, resources and support for all involved in end of life decision-making. Through fostering better communication, we will empower the ill, aged, caregivers, surrogates and medical providers to navigate this life phase with confidence and dignity. Our Vision Empowered life choices. End of CPR VERSUS DNR FOR THE ELDERLY PATIENT For patients ages 70 to 79, the rate of survival to discharge was about 19 percent. For older patients, outcomes were more grim. Among those ages 80 to 89, the rate was 15 percent. Less than 12 percent of patients 90 or older were eventually discharged. “The chance of survival to hospital discharge for in-hospital CPR in older people is

low

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES Advance directives can provide clear guidance to health care providers, reduce the likelihood of a dispute with and among family members and ensure you avoid unwanted procedures. It is a very good idea to make sure your doctor (or agent) knows your wishes and has the latest copy of your advance directive on file. PROMOTING JUSTICE IN PALLIATIVE CARE Dr. Catherine Deamant of John H Stroger Hospital addresses end of life care and more in Cook County’s Safety Net Hospital Dr. Catherine Deamant is the director of Palliative Care Services at Cook County Health and Hospital Systems. Based on Chicago’s near west side, the 464-bed Stroger Hospital is dedicated to the health care needs of ARE WE BEING SELFISH WHEN WE SELF-PRESERVE? Self-preservation is not the act of being selfish at all; in fact, it is all about being selfless with ourselves and others. Taking care of ourselves seems to be one of our most difficult challenges. We should all learn to like ourselves in a nurturing, protective way. Setting limits and boundaries with kindness is the essence of

self-preservation.

FAITH IMPACTS END OF LIFE CARE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS Faith, distrust of the medical system and family dynamics discourage many seriously ill African-Americans from choosing hospice and palliative care services. A new study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine highlights the effects of church– the spiritual center for many African-Americans– on end of life-decision-making. ISLAM AND END OF LIFE CARE Islam And End Of Life Care. “Allah” in Arabic calligraphy. Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. Islamic ideas about death and the afterlife influence adherents’ attitudes towards end of life decision-making, because they hold that faithful Muslims return to Allah. For a believer in the afterlife who tried his or her best,

death signals a

ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THEM? The growing population of healthier older Americans is changing the way some medical centers choose recipients of organ donations. Debates are now brewing about who should receive vital organs and if age is a

legitimate factor.

'THE FAULT IN OUR STARS': FACING DEATH WITH LOVE The film, based on the bestselling book of the same name, tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), a lonely 17-year-old living with thyroid cancer and severely weakened lungs (she relies on an oxygen machine to breathe). Upon her mother’s insistence that she make friends and have some fun, she reluctantly

attends a cheesy

THE BELL TOLLS FOR DEATH BY NEUROLOGIC CRITERIA: THE CASE BY CRAIG KLUGMAN, PH.D A judge in Reno, Nevada, has denied a request from St. Mary’s Regional Hospital to conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine the death of a 20-year-old patient. Aden Hailu was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno when she was hospitalized due to abdominal pain in April. During exploratory surgery, she HOME - LIFE MATTERS MEDIA Our Mission Life Matters Media aims to be the premiere provider of information, resources and support for all involved in end of life decision-making. Through fostering better communication, we will empower the ill, aged, caregivers, surrogates and medical providers to navigate this life phase with confidence and dignity. Our Vision Empowered life choices. End of CPR VERSUS DNR FOR THE ELDERLY PATIENT For patients ages 70 to 79, the rate of survival to discharge was about 19 percent. For older patients, outcomes were more grim. Among those ages 80 to 89, the rate was 15 percent. Less than 12 percent of patients 90 or older were eventually discharged. “The chance of survival to hospital discharge for in-hospital CPR in older people is

low

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES Advance directives can provide clear guidance to health care providers, reduce the likelihood of a dispute with and among family members and ensure you avoid unwanted procedures. It is a very good idea to make sure your doctor (or agent) knows your wishes and has the latest copy of your advance directive on file. PROMOTING JUSTICE IN PALLIATIVE CARE Dr. Catherine Deamant of John H Stroger Hospital addresses end of life care and more in Cook County’s Safety Net Hospital Dr. Catherine Deamant is the director of Palliative Care Services at Cook County Health and Hospital Systems. Based on Chicago’s near west side, the 464-bed Stroger Hospital is dedicated to the health care needs of ARE WE BEING SELFISH WHEN WE SELF-PRESERVE? Self-preservation is not the act of being selfish at all; in fact, it is all about being selfless with ourselves and others. Taking care of ourselves seems to be one of our most difficult challenges. We should all learn to like ourselves in a nurturing, protective way. Setting limits and boundaries with kindness is the essence of

self-preservation.

FAITH IMPACTS END OF LIFE CARE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS Faith, distrust of the medical system and family dynamics discourage many seriously ill African-Americans from choosing hospice and palliative care services. A new study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine highlights the effects of church– the spiritual center for many African-Americans– on end of life-decision-making. ISLAM AND END OF LIFE CARE Islam And End Of Life Care. “Allah” in Arabic calligraphy. Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. Islamic ideas about death and the afterlife influence adherents’ attitudes towards end of life decision-making, because they hold that faithful Muslims return to Allah. For a believer in the afterlife who tried his or her best,

death signals a

ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THEM? The growing population of healthier older Americans is changing the way some medical centers choose recipients of organ donations. Debates are now brewing about who should receive vital organs and if age is a

legitimate factor.

'THE FAULT IN OUR STARS': FACING DEATH WITH LOVE The film, based on the bestselling book of the same name, tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), a lonely 17-year-old living with thyroid cancer and severely weakened lungs (she relies on an oxygen machine to breathe). Upon her mother’s insistence that she make friends and have some fun, she reluctantly

attends a cheesy

THE BELL TOLLS FOR DEATH BY NEUROLOGIC CRITERIA: THE CASE BY CRAIG KLUGMAN, PH.D A judge in Reno, Nevada, has denied a request from St. Mary’s Regional Hospital to conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine the death of a 20-year-old patient. Aden Hailu was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno when she was hospitalized due to abdominal pain in April. During exploratory surgery, she THE DISPARITY BETWEEN CASH AND CARE IN THE FOR-PROFIT According to NPR, when Medicaid is the primary source of income for nursing homes, the homes tend to provide a lower quality of care. This is true not just for the Medicaid patient, but for all patients there, even private pay. The Medicaid reimbursement level causes the homes to lose about two percent on each resident. MAKING FUN OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA ISN’T COOL In one scene, a low-level aid tries to convince Reagan that he is only an actor playing the president in a movie. Reagan’s family called the project “cruel” and “heartless.”. “Alzheimer’s is the ultimate pirate, pillaging a person’s life and leaving an empty landscape behind,” his FAMILY PHYSICIANS PLAY KEY ROLES AT THE END OF LIFE, STUDY Family physicians play a vital role in helping terminally ill patients to die in comfortable and familiar surroundings, according to new findings published in the Annals of Family Medicine. Researchers, led by Thijs Reyniers, from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium, sought to better understand family physicians’ perceptions regarding their EFFECTS OF MELATONIN ON APPETITE AND OTHER SYMPTOMS IN Authors: Egidio Del Fabbro, Rony Dev, David Hui, Lynn Palmer and Eduardo Bruera Journal of Clinical Oncology 2013 Melatonin, produced in the pineal gland of the brain, is part of the system that controls the sleep-wake cycle. It is sold in the United States as a dietary supplement and is most commonly used for the 'THE FAULT IN OUR STARS': FACING DEATH WITH LOVE The film, based on the bestselling book of the same name, tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), a lonely 17-year-old living with thyroid cancer and severely weakened lungs (she relies on an oxygen machine to breathe). Upon her mother’s insistence that she make friends and have some fun, she reluctantly

attends a cheesy

THE BELL TOLLS FOR DEATH BY NEUROLOGIC CRITERIA: THE CASE BY CRAIG KLUGMAN, PH.D A judge in Reno, Nevada, has denied a request from St. Mary’s Regional Hospital to conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine the death of a 20-year-old patient. Aden Hailu was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno when she was hospitalized due to abdominal pain in April. During exploratory surgery, she ROMAN CATHOLICISM AND END OF LIFE CARE Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that effective pain management is a critical component of appropriate end of life care ( Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, 2009 ). Pope Francis recently addressed the importance of palliative medicine– care designed to treat side-effects of both PASSAGES HOSPICE OWNER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FRAUD Passages served patients throughout the Midwest and billed Medicare more than $90 million from 2008-2012. “A lot of my patients really didn’t need to be on hospice,” a former employee told Life Matters Media. “A lot of the patients that I had didn’t need to be on continuous care, and they would just shove me in there.”. WHAT REALLY MATTERS AT THE END: BJ MILLER OF ZEN HOSPICE Palliative care physician Dr. BJ Miller was introduced to death in an unexpected way. As a sophomore in college, Miller climbed atop a parked commuter train and was shocked by 11,000 volts of electricity. “The electrical current entered my arm and blew down and out my MR. ROGERS WASN'T AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT DEATH Death Of A Goldfish. Rogers, who died in 2003, often addressed love and loss. In “Death of A Goldfish,” Rogers discovers a dead fish in his aquarium and commits to burying it in his yard. He later reveals his boyhood feelings when his dog died, assuring children that sadness isn’t forever. “ (Mitzi) got to be old and she died,”

Rogers

HOME - LIFE MATTERS MEDIA Our Mission Life Matters Media aims to be the premiere provider of information, resources and support for all involved in end of life decision-making. Through fostering better communication, we will empower the ill, aged, caregivers, surrogates and medical providers to navigate this life phase with confidence and dignity. Our Vision Empowered life choices. End of CPR VERSUS DNR FOR THE ELDERLY PATIENT For patients ages 70 to 79, the rate of survival to discharge was about 19 percent. For older patients, outcomes were more grim. Among those ages 80 to 89, the rate was 15 percent. Less than 12 percent of patients 90 or older were eventually discharged. “The chance of survival to hospital discharge for in-hospital CPR in older people is

low

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES Advance directives can provide clear guidance to health care providers, reduce the likelihood of a dispute with and among family members and ensure you avoid unwanted procedures. It is a very good idea to make sure your doctor (or agent) knows your wishes and has the latest copy of your advance directive on file. PROMOTING JUSTICE IN PALLIATIVE CARE Dr. Catherine Deamant of John H Stroger Hospital addresses end of life care and more in Cook County’s Safety Net Hospital Dr. Catherine Deamant is the director of Palliative Care Services at Cook County Health and Hospital Systems. Based on Chicago’s near west side, the 464-bed Stroger Hospital is dedicated to the health care needs of ARE WE BEING SELFISH WHEN WE SELF-PRESERVE? Self-preservation is not the act of being selfish at all; in fact, it is all about being selfless with ourselves and others. Taking care of ourselves seems to be one of our most difficult challenges. We should all learn to like ourselves in a nurturing, protective way. Setting limits and boundaries with kindness is the essence of

self-preservation.

FAITH IMPACTS END OF LIFE CARE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS Faith, distrust of the medical system and family dynamics discourage many seriously ill African-Americans from choosing hospice and palliative care services. A new study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine highlights the effects of church– the spiritual center for many African-Americans– on end of life-decision-making. ISLAM AND END OF LIFE CARE Islam And End Of Life Care. “Allah” in Arabic calligraphy. Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. Islamic ideas about death and the afterlife influence adherents’ attitudes towards end of life decision-making, because they hold that faithful Muslims return to Allah. For a believer in the afterlife who tried his or her best,

death signals a

ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THEM? The growing population of healthier older Americans is changing the way some medical centers choose recipients of organ donations. Debates are now brewing about who should receive vital organs and if age is a

legitimate factor.

'THE FAULT IN OUR STARS': FACING DEATH WITH LOVE The film, based on the bestselling book of the same name, tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), a lonely 17-year-old living with thyroid cancer and severely weakened lungs (she relies on an oxygen machine to breathe). Upon her mother’s insistence that she make friends and have some fun, she reluctantly

attends a cheesy

THE BELL TOLLS FOR DEATH BY NEUROLOGIC CRITERIA: THE CASE BY CRAIG KLUGMAN, PH.D A judge in Reno, Nevada, has denied a request from St. Mary’s Regional Hospital to conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine the death of a 20-year-old patient. Aden Hailu was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno when she was hospitalized due to abdominal pain in April. During exploratory surgery, she HOME - LIFE MATTERS MEDIA Our Mission Life Matters Media aims to be the premiere provider of information, resources and support for all involved in end of life decision-making. Through fostering better communication, we will empower the ill, aged, caregivers, surrogates and medical providers to navigate this life phase with confidence and dignity. Our Vision Empowered life choices. End of CPR VERSUS DNR FOR THE ELDERLY PATIENT For patients ages 70 to 79, the rate of survival to discharge was about 19 percent. For older patients, outcomes were more grim. Among those ages 80 to 89, the rate was 15 percent. Less than 12 percent of patients 90 or older were eventually discharged. “The chance of survival to hospital discharge for in-hospital CPR in older people is

low

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES Advance directives can provide clear guidance to health care providers, reduce the likelihood of a dispute with and among family members and ensure you avoid unwanted procedures. It is a very good idea to make sure your doctor (or agent) knows your wishes and has the latest copy of your advance directive on file. PROMOTING JUSTICE IN PALLIATIVE CARE Dr. Catherine Deamant of John H Stroger Hospital addresses end of life care and more in Cook County’s Safety Net Hospital Dr. Catherine Deamant is the director of Palliative Care Services at Cook County Health and Hospital Systems. Based on Chicago’s near west side, the 464-bed Stroger Hospital is dedicated to the health care needs of ARE WE BEING SELFISH WHEN WE SELF-PRESERVE? Self-preservation is not the act of being selfish at all; in fact, it is all about being selfless with ourselves and others. Taking care of ourselves seems to be one of our most difficult challenges. We should all learn to like ourselves in a nurturing, protective way. Setting limits and boundaries with kindness is the essence of

self-preservation.

FAITH IMPACTS END OF LIFE CARE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS Faith, distrust of the medical system and family dynamics discourage many seriously ill African-Americans from choosing hospice and palliative care services. A new study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine highlights the effects of church– the spiritual center for many African-Americans– on end of life-decision-making. ISLAM AND END OF LIFE CARE Islam And End Of Life Care. “Allah” in Arabic calligraphy. Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. Islamic ideas about death and the afterlife influence adherents’ attitudes towards end of life decision-making, because they hold that faithful Muslims return to Allah. For a believer in the afterlife who tried his or her best,

death signals a

ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THEM? The growing population of healthier older Americans is changing the way some medical centers choose recipients of organ donations. Debates are now brewing about who should receive vital organs and if age is a

legitimate factor.

'THE FAULT IN OUR STARS': FACING DEATH WITH LOVE The film, based on the bestselling book of the same name, tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), a lonely 17-year-old living with thyroid cancer and severely weakened lungs (she relies on an oxygen machine to breathe). Upon her mother’s insistence that she make friends and have some fun, she reluctantly

attends a cheesy

THE BELL TOLLS FOR DEATH BY NEUROLOGIC CRITERIA: THE CASE BY CRAIG KLUGMAN, PH.D A judge in Reno, Nevada, has denied a request from St. Mary’s Regional Hospital to conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine the death of a 20-year-old patient. Aden Hailu was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno when she was hospitalized due to abdominal pain in April. During exploratory surgery, she THE DISPARITY BETWEEN CASH AND CARE IN THE FOR-PROFIT According to NPR, when Medicaid is the primary source of income for nursing homes, the homes tend to provide a lower quality of care. This is true not just for the Medicaid patient, but for all patients there, even private pay. The Medicaid reimbursement level causes the homes to lose about two percent on each resident. MAKING FUN OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA ISN’T COOL In one scene, a low-level aid tries to convince Reagan that he is only an actor playing the president in a movie. Reagan’s family called the project “cruel” and “heartless.”. “Alzheimer’s is the ultimate pirate, pillaging a person’s life and leaving an empty landscape behind,” his FAMILY PHYSICIANS PLAY KEY ROLES AT THE END OF LIFE, STUDY Family physicians play a vital role in helping terminally ill patients to die in comfortable and familiar surroundings, according to new findings published in the Annals of Family Medicine. Researchers, led by Thijs Reyniers, from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium, sought to better understand family physicians’ perceptions regarding their EFFECTS OF MELATONIN ON APPETITE AND OTHER SYMPTOMS IN Authors: Egidio Del Fabbro, Rony Dev, David Hui, Lynn Palmer and Eduardo Bruera Journal of Clinical Oncology 2013 Melatonin, produced in the pineal gland of the brain, is part of the system that controls the sleep-wake cycle. It is sold in the United States as a dietary supplement and is most commonly used for the 'THE FAULT IN OUR STARS': FACING DEATH WITH LOVE The film, based on the bestselling book of the same name, tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), a lonely 17-year-old living with thyroid cancer and severely weakened lungs (she relies on an oxygen machine to breathe). Upon her mother’s insistence that she make friends and have some fun, she reluctantly

attends a cheesy

THE BELL TOLLS FOR DEATH BY NEUROLOGIC CRITERIA: THE CASE BY CRAIG KLUGMAN, PH.D A judge in Reno, Nevada, has denied a request from St. Mary’s Regional Hospital to conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine the death of a 20-year-old patient. Aden Hailu was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno when she was hospitalized due to abdominal pain in April. During exploratory surgery, she ROMAN CATHOLICISM AND END OF LIFE CARE Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that effective pain management is a critical component of appropriate end of life care ( Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, 2009 ). Pope Francis recently addressed the importance of palliative medicine– care designed to treat side-effects of both PASSAGES HOSPICE OWNER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FRAUD Passages served patients throughout the Midwest and billed Medicare more than $90 million from 2008-2012. “A lot of my patients really didn’t need to be on hospice,” a former employee told Life Matters Media. “A lot of the patients that I had didn’t need to be on continuous care, and they would just shove me in there.”. WHAT REALLY MATTERS AT THE END: BJ MILLER OF ZEN HOSPICE Palliative care physician Dr. BJ Miller was introduced to death in an unexpected way. As a sophomore in college, Miller climbed atop a parked commuter train and was shocked by 11,000 volts of electricity. “The electrical current entered my arm and blew down and out my MR. ROGERS WASN'T AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT DEATH Death Of A Goldfish. Rogers, who died in 2003, often addressed love and loss. In “Death of A Goldfish,” Rogers discovers a dead fish in his aquarium and commits to burying it in his yard. He later reveals his boyhood feelings when his dog died, assuring children that sadness isn’t forever. “ (Mitzi) got to be old and she died,”

Rogers

HOME - LIFE MATTERS MEDIA Our Mission Life Matters Media aims to be the premiere provider of information, resources and support for all involved in end of life decision-making. Through fostering better communication, we will empower the ill, aged, caregivers, surrogates and medical providers to navigate this life phase with confidence and dignity. Our Vision Empowered life choices. End of CPR VERSUS DNR FOR THE ELDERLY PATIENT For patients ages 70 to 79, the rate of survival to discharge was about 19 percent. For older patients, outcomes were more grim. Among those ages 80 to 89, the rate was 15 percent. Less than 12 percent of patients 90 or older were eventually discharged. “The chance of survival to hospital discharge for in-hospital CPR in older people is

low

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES Advance directives can provide clear guidance to health care providers, reduce the likelihood of a dispute with and among family members and ensure you avoid unwanted procedures. It is a very good idea to make sure your doctor (or agent) knows your wishes and has the latest copy of your advance directive on file. PROMOTING JUSTICE IN PALLIATIVE CARE Dr. Catherine Deamant of John H Stroger Hospital addresses end of life care and more in Cook County’s Safety Net Hospital Dr. Catherine Deamant is the director of Palliative Care Services at Cook County Health and Hospital Systems. Based on Chicago’s near west side, the 464-bed Stroger Hospital is dedicated to the health care needs of ARE WE BEING SELFISH WHEN WE SELF-PRESERVE? Self-preservation is not the act of being selfish at all; in fact, it is all about being selfless with ourselves and others. Taking care of ourselves seems to be one of our most difficult challenges. We should all learn to like ourselves in a nurturing, protective way. Setting limits and boundaries with kindness is the essence of

self-preservation.

FAITH IMPACTS END OF LIFE CARE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS Faith, distrust of the medical system and family dynamics discourage many seriously ill African-Americans from choosing hospice and palliative care services. A new study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine highlights the effects of church– the spiritual center for many African-Americans– on end of life-decision-making. ISLAM AND END OF LIFE CARE Islam And End Of Life Care. “Allah” in Arabic calligraphy. Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. Islamic ideas about death and the afterlife influence adherents’ attitudes towards end of life decision-making, because they hold that faithful Muslims return to Allah. For a believer in the afterlife who tried his or her best,

death signals a

ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THEM? The growing population of healthier older Americans is changing the way some medical centers choose recipients of organ donations. Debates are now brewing about who should receive vital organs and if age is a

legitimate factor.

'THE FAULT IN OUR STARS': FACING DEATH WITH LOVE The film, based on the bestselling book of the same name, tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), a lonely 17-year-old living with thyroid cancer and severely weakened lungs (she relies on an oxygen machine to breathe). Upon her mother’s insistence that she make friends and have some fun, she reluctantly

attends a cheesy

THE BELL TOLLS FOR DEATH BY NEUROLOGIC CRITERIA: THE CASE BY CRAIG KLUGMAN, PH.D A judge in Reno, Nevada, has denied a request from St. Mary’s Regional Hospital to conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine the death of a 20-year-old patient. Aden Hailu was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno when she was hospitalized due to abdominal pain in April. During exploratory surgery, she HOME - LIFE MATTERS MEDIA Our Mission Life Matters Media aims to be the premiere provider of information, resources and support for all involved in end of life decision-making. Through fostering better communication, we will empower the ill, aged, caregivers, surrogates and medical providers to navigate this life phase with confidence and dignity. Our Vision Empowered life choices. End of CPR VERSUS DNR FOR THE ELDERLY PATIENT For patients ages 70 to 79, the rate of survival to discharge was about 19 percent. For older patients, outcomes were more grim. Among those ages 80 to 89, the rate was 15 percent. Less than 12 percent of patients 90 or older were eventually discharged. “The chance of survival to hospital discharge for in-hospital CPR in older people is

low

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES Advance directives can provide clear guidance to health care providers, reduce the likelihood of a dispute with and among family members and ensure you avoid unwanted procedures. It is a very good idea to make sure your doctor (or agent) knows your wishes and has the latest copy of your advance directive on file. PROMOTING JUSTICE IN PALLIATIVE CARE Dr. Catherine Deamant of John H Stroger Hospital addresses end of life care and more in Cook County’s Safety Net Hospital Dr. Catherine Deamant is the director of Palliative Care Services at Cook County Health and Hospital Systems. Based on Chicago’s near west side, the 464-bed Stroger Hospital is dedicated to the health care needs of ARE WE BEING SELFISH WHEN WE SELF-PRESERVE? Self-preservation is not the act of being selfish at all; in fact, it is all about being selfless with ourselves and others. Taking care of ourselves seems to be one of our most difficult challenges. We should all learn to like ourselves in a nurturing, protective way. Setting limits and boundaries with kindness is the essence of

self-preservation.

FAITH IMPACTS END OF LIFE CARE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS Faith, distrust of the medical system and family dynamics discourage many seriously ill African-Americans from choosing hospice and palliative care services. A new study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine highlights the effects of church– the spiritual center for many African-Americans– on end of life-decision-making. ISLAM AND END OF LIFE CARE Islam And End Of Life Care. “Allah” in Arabic calligraphy. Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. Islamic ideas about death and the afterlife influence adherents’ attitudes towards end of life decision-making, because they hold that faithful Muslims return to Allah. For a believer in the afterlife who tried his or her best,

death signals a

ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THEM? The growing population of healthier older Americans is changing the way some medical centers choose recipients of organ donations. Debates are now brewing about who should receive vital organs and if age is a

legitimate factor.

'THE FAULT IN OUR STARS': FACING DEATH WITH LOVE The film, based on the bestselling book of the same name, tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), a lonely 17-year-old living with thyroid cancer and severely weakened lungs (she relies on an oxygen machine to breathe). Upon her mother’s insistence that she make friends and have some fun, she reluctantly

attends a cheesy

THE BELL TOLLS FOR DEATH BY NEUROLOGIC CRITERIA: THE CASE BY CRAIG KLUGMAN, PH.D A judge in Reno, Nevada, has denied a request from St. Mary’s Regional Hospital to conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine the death of a 20-year-old patient. Aden Hailu was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno when she was hospitalized due to abdominal pain in April. During exploratory surgery, she THE DISPARITY BETWEEN CASH AND CARE IN THE FOR-PROFIT According to NPR, when Medicaid is the primary source of income for nursing homes, the homes tend to provide a lower quality of care. This is true not just for the Medicaid patient, but for all patients there, even private pay. The Medicaid reimbursement level causes the homes to lose about two percent on each resident. MAKING FUN OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA ISN’T COOL In one scene, a low-level aid tries to convince Reagan that he is only an actor playing the president in a movie. Reagan’s family called the project “cruel” and “heartless.”. “Alzheimer’s is the ultimate pirate, pillaging a person’s life and leaving an empty landscape behind,” his FAMILY PHYSICIANS PLAY KEY ROLES AT THE END OF LIFE, STUDY Family physicians play a vital role in helping terminally ill patients to die in comfortable and familiar surroundings, according to new findings published in the Annals of Family Medicine. Researchers, led by Thijs Reyniers, from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium, sought to better understand family physicians’ perceptions regarding their EFFECTS OF MELATONIN ON APPETITE AND OTHER SYMPTOMS IN Authors: Egidio Del Fabbro, Rony Dev, David Hui, Lynn Palmer and Eduardo Bruera Journal of Clinical Oncology 2013 Melatonin, produced in the pineal gland of the brain, is part of the system that controls the sleep-wake cycle. It is sold in the United States as a dietary supplement and is most commonly used for the 'THE FAULT IN OUR STARS': FACING DEATH WITH LOVE The film, based on the bestselling book of the same name, tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), a lonely 17-year-old living with thyroid cancer and severely weakened lungs (she relies on an oxygen machine to breathe). Upon her mother’s insistence that she make friends and have some fun, she reluctantly

attends a cheesy

THE BELL TOLLS FOR DEATH BY NEUROLOGIC CRITERIA: THE CASE BY CRAIG KLUGMAN, PH.D A judge in Reno, Nevada, has denied a request from St. Mary’s Regional Hospital to conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine the death of a 20-year-old patient. Aden Hailu was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno when she was hospitalized due to abdominal pain in April. During exploratory surgery, she ROMAN CATHOLICISM AND END OF LIFE CARE Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that effective pain management is a critical component of appropriate end of life care ( Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, 2009 ). Pope Francis recently addressed the importance of palliative medicine– care designed to treat side-effects of both PASSAGES HOSPICE OWNER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FRAUD Passages served patients throughout the Midwest and billed Medicare more than $90 million from 2008-2012. “A lot of my patients really didn’t need to be on hospice,” a former employee told Life Matters Media. “A lot of the patients that I had didn’t need to be on continuous care, and they would just shove me in there.”. WHAT REALLY MATTERS AT THE END: BJ MILLER OF ZEN HOSPICE Palliative care physician Dr. BJ Miller was introduced to death in an unexpected way. As a sophomore in college, Miller climbed atop a parked commuter train and was shocked by 11,000 volts of electricity. “The electrical current entered my arm and blew down and out my MR. ROGERS WASN'T AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT DEATH Death Of A Goldfish. Rogers, who died in 2003, often addressed love and loss. In “Death of A Goldfish,” Rogers discovers a dead fish in his aquarium and commits to burying it in his yard. He later reveals his boyhood feelings when his dog died, assuring children that sadness isn’t forever. “ (Mitzi) got to be old and she died,”

Rogers

HOME - LIFE MATTERS MEDIA Our Mission Life Matters Media aims to be the premiere provider of information, resources and support for all involved in end of life decision-making. Through fostering better communication, we will empower the ill, aged, caregivers, surrogates and medical providers to navigate this life phase with confidence and dignity. Our Vision Empowered life choices. End of CPR VERSUS DNR FOR THE ELDERLY PATIENT For patients ages 70 to 79, the rate of survival to discharge was about 19 percent. For older patients, outcomes were more grim. Among those ages 80 to 89, the rate was 15 percent. Less than 12 percent of patients 90 or older were eventually discharged. “The chance of survival to hospital discharge for in-hospital CPR in older people is

low

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES Advance directives can provide clear guidance to health care providers, reduce the likelihood of a dispute with and among family members and ensure you avoid unwanted procedures. It is a very good idea to make sure your doctor (or agent) knows your wishes and has the latest copy of your advance directive on file. HINDUISM AND END OF LIFE CARE Hinduism, with more than 900 million adherents, is the world’s third largest faith. It is the dominant religion of the Indian subcontinent. Krishna is worshipped as the avatar of the god Vishnu or Bhagavan, Supreme Being, in some traditions. Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. Often called a “way of life” instead of a religion, Hinduism has no PROMOTING JUSTICE IN PALLIATIVE CARE Dr. Catherine Deamant of John H Stroger Hospital addresses end of life care and more in Cook County’s Safety Net Hospital Dr. Catherine Deamant is the director of Palliative Care Services at Cook County Health and Hospital Systems. Based on Chicago’s near west side, the 464-bed Stroger Hospital is dedicated to the health care needs of ARE WE BEING SELFISH WHEN WE SELF-PRESERVE? Self-preservation is not the act of being selfish at all; in fact, it is all about being selfless with ourselves and others. Taking care of ourselves seems to be one of our most difficult challenges. We should all learn to like ourselves in a nurturing, protective way. Setting limits and boundaries with kindness is the essence of

self-preservation.

ISLAM AND END OF LIFE CARE Islam And End Of Life Care. “Allah” in Arabic calligraphy. Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. Islamic ideas about death and the afterlife influence adherents’ attitudes towards end of life decision-making, because they hold that faithful Muslims return to Allah. For a believer in the afterlife who tried his or her best,

death signals a

FAITH IMPACTS END OF LIFE CARE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS Faith, distrust of the medical system and family dynamics discourage many seriously ill African-Americans from choosing hospice and palliative care services. A new study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine highlights the effects of church– the spiritual center for many African-Americans– on end of life-decision-making. ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THEM? The growing population of healthier older Americans is changing the way some medical centers choose recipients of organ donations. Debates are now brewing about who should receive vital organs and if age is a

legitimate factor.

PASSAGES HOSPICE OWNER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FRAUD Passages served patients throughout the Midwest and billed Medicare more than $90 million from 2008-2012. “A lot of my patients really didn’t need to be on hospice,” a former employee told Life Matters Media. “A lot of the patients that I had didn’t need to be on continuous care, and they would just shove me in there.”. HOME - LIFE MATTERS MEDIA Our Mission Life Matters Media aims to be the premiere provider of information, resources and support for all involved in end of life decision-making. Through fostering better communication, we will empower the ill, aged, caregivers, surrogates and medical providers to navigate this life phase with confidence and dignity. Our Vision Empowered life choices. End of CPR VERSUS DNR FOR THE ELDERLY PATIENT For patients ages 70 to 79, the rate of survival to discharge was about 19 percent. For older patients, outcomes were more grim. Among those ages 80 to 89, the rate was 15 percent. Less than 12 percent of patients 90 or older were eventually discharged. “The chance of survival to hospital discharge for in-hospital CPR in older people is

low

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES Advance directives can provide clear guidance to health care providers, reduce the likelihood of a dispute with and among family members and ensure you avoid unwanted procedures. It is a very good idea to make sure your doctor (or agent) knows your wishes and has the latest copy of your advance directive on file. HINDUISM AND END OF LIFE CARE Hinduism, with more than 900 million adherents, is the world’s third largest faith. It is the dominant religion of the Indian subcontinent. Krishna is worshipped as the avatar of the god Vishnu or Bhagavan, Supreme Being, in some traditions. Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. Often called a “way of life” instead of a religion, Hinduism has no PROMOTING JUSTICE IN PALLIATIVE CARE Dr. Catherine Deamant of John H Stroger Hospital addresses end of life care and more in Cook County’s Safety Net Hospital Dr. Catherine Deamant is the director of Palliative Care Services at Cook County Health and Hospital Systems. Based on Chicago’s near west side, the 464-bed Stroger Hospital is dedicated to the health care needs of ARE WE BEING SELFISH WHEN WE SELF-PRESERVE? Self-preservation is not the act of being selfish at all; in fact, it is all about being selfless with ourselves and others. Taking care of ourselves seems to be one of our most difficult challenges. We should all learn to like ourselves in a nurturing, protective way. Setting limits and boundaries with kindness is the essence of

self-preservation.

ISLAM AND END OF LIFE CARE Islam And End Of Life Care. “Allah” in Arabic calligraphy. Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. Islamic ideas about death and the afterlife influence adherents’ attitudes towards end of life decision-making, because they hold that faithful Muslims return to Allah. For a believer in the afterlife who tried his or her best,

death signals a

FAITH IMPACTS END OF LIFE CARE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS Faith, distrust of the medical system and family dynamics discourage many seriously ill African-Americans from choosing hospice and palliative care services. A new study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine highlights the effects of church– the spiritual center for many African-Americans– on end of life-decision-making. ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THEM? The growing population of healthier older Americans is changing the way some medical centers choose recipients of organ donations. Debates are now brewing about who should receive vital organs and if age is a

legitimate factor.

PASSAGES HOSPICE OWNER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FRAUD Passages served patients throughout the Midwest and billed Medicare more than $90 million from 2008-2012. “A lot of my patients really didn’t need to be on hospice,” a former employee told Life Matters Media. “A lot of the patients that I had didn’t need to be on continuous care, and they would just shove me in there.”. PASSAGES HOSPICE OWNER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FRAUD Passages served patients throughout the Midwest and billed Medicare more than $90 million from 2008-2012. “A lot of my patients really didn’t need to be on hospice,” a former employee told Life Matters Media. “A lot of the patients that I had didn’t need to be on continuous care, and they would just shove me in there.”. MAKING FUN OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA ISN’T COOL In one scene, a low-level aid tries to convince Reagan that he is only an actor playing the president in a movie. Reagan’s family called the project “cruel” and “heartless.”. “Alzheimer’s is the ultimate pirate, pillaging a person’s life and leaving an empty landscape behind,” his GUIDE TO DIGITAL DEATH Life Matters Media’s Guide to Digital Death Family photos, voice recordings, phone numbers, legal documents, financial information, and more could be lost if your loved ones are unable to access your on SO THAT WE KNOW HOW TO LIVE: A COURSE IN DEATH AND DYING The course is sometimes taught within anthropology or sociology departments, examining worldwide beliefs and rituals around the end of life. Sometimes, it is a psychology course that examines human responses to death, mourning and grief. Other times, it may be a course in philosophy or religious studies that looks at various belief

systems

FAMILY PHYSICIANS PLAY KEY ROLES AT THE END OF LIFE, STUDY Family physicians play a vital role in helping terminally ill patients to die in comfortable and familiar surroundings, according to new findings published in the Annals of Family Medicine. Researchers, led by Thijs Reyniers, from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium, sought to better understand family physicians’ perceptions regarding their FEEDING TUBES: FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH DECISION Feeding Tubes: Families Struggle With Decision. Brown University, Joan Teno. Many families caring for seniors with advanced neurological disease face this dilemma: prolong their loved one’s life by artificial means via a feeding tube or stop feeding them altogether. Lisa Krieger’s new feature for Mercury News focuses on the

billion-dollar

ROMAN CATHOLICISM AND END OF LIFE CARE Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that effective pain management is a critical component of appropriate end of life care ( Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, 2009 ). Pope Francis recently addressed the importance of palliative medicine– care designed to treat side-effects of both MR. ROGERS WASN'T AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT DEATH Death Of A Goldfish. Rogers, who died in 2003, often addressed love and loss. In “Death of A Goldfish,” Rogers discovers a dead fish in his aquarium and commits to burying it in his yard. He later reveals his boyhood feelings when his dog died, assuring children that sadness isn’t forever. “ (Mitzi) got to be old and she died,”

Rogers

WHAT REALLY MATTERS AT THE END: BJ MILLER OF ZEN HOSPICE Palliative care physician Dr. BJ Miller was introduced to death in an unexpected way. As a sophomore in college, Miller climbed atop a parked commuter train and was shocked by 11,000 volts of electricity. “The electrical current entered my arm and blew down and out my 'THE FAULT IN OUR STARS': FACING DEATH WITH LOVE The film, based on the bestselling book of the same name, tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), a lonely 17-year-old living with thyroid cancer and severely weakened lungs (she relies on an oxygen machine to breathe). Upon her mother’s insistence that she make friends and have some fun, she reluctantly

attends a cheesy

HOME - LIFE MATTERS MEDIA Our Mission Life Matters Media aims to be the premiere provider of information, resources and support for all involved in end of life decision-making. Through fostering better communication, we will empower the ill, aged, caregivers, surrogates and medical providers to navigate this life phase with confidence and dignity. Our Vision Empowered life choices. End of CPR VERSUS DNR FOR THE ELDERLY PATIENT For patients ages 70 to 79, the rate of survival to discharge was about 19 percent. For older patients, outcomes were more grim. Among those ages 80 to 89, the rate was 15 percent. Less than 12 percent of patients 90 or older were eventually discharged. “The chance of survival to hospital discharge for in-hospital CPR in older people is

low

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES Advance directives can provide clear guidance to health care providers, reduce the likelihood of a dispute with and among family members and ensure you avoid unwanted procedures. It is a very good idea to make sure your doctor (or agent) knows your wishes and has the latest copy of your advance directive on file. HINDUISM AND END OF LIFE CARE Hinduism, with more than 900 million adherents, is the world’s third largest faith. It is the dominant religion of the Indian subcontinent. Krishna is worshipped as the avatar of the god Vishnu or Bhagavan, Supreme Being, in some traditions. Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. Often called a “way of life” instead of a religion, Hinduism has no PROMOTING JUSTICE IN PALLIATIVE CARE Dr. Catherine Deamant of John H Stroger Hospital addresses end of life care and more in Cook County’s Safety Net Hospital Dr. Catherine Deamant is the director of Palliative Care Services at Cook County Health and Hospital Systems. Based on Chicago’s near west side, the 464-bed Stroger Hospital is dedicated to the health care needs of ARE WE BEING SELFISH WHEN WE SELF-PRESERVE? Self-preservation is not the act of being selfish at all; in fact, it is all about being selfless with ourselves and others. Taking care of ourselves seems to be one of our most difficult challenges. We should all learn to like ourselves in a nurturing, protective way. Setting limits and boundaries with kindness is the essence of

self-preservation.

ISLAM AND END OF LIFE CARE Islam And End Of Life Care. “Allah” in Arabic calligraphy. Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. Islamic ideas about death and the afterlife influence adherents’ attitudes towards end of life decision-making, because they hold that faithful Muslims return to Allah. For a believer in the afterlife who tried his or her best,

death signals a

FAITH IMPACTS END OF LIFE CARE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS Faith, distrust of the medical system and family dynamics discourage many seriously ill African-Americans from choosing hospice and palliative care services. A new study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine highlights the effects of church– the spiritual center for many African-Americans– on end of life-decision-making. ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THEM? The growing population of healthier older Americans is changing the way some medical centers choose recipients of organ donations. Debates are now brewing about who should receive vital organs and if age is a

legitimate factor.

PASSAGES HOSPICE OWNER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FRAUD Passages served patients throughout the Midwest and billed Medicare more than $90 million from 2008-2012. “A lot of my patients really didn’t need to be on hospice,” a former employee told Life Matters Media. “A lot of the patients that I had didn’t need to be on continuous care, and they would just shove me in there.”. HOME - LIFE MATTERS MEDIA Our Mission Life Matters Media aims to be the premiere provider of information, resources and support for all involved in end of life decision-making. Through fostering better communication, we will empower the ill, aged, caregivers, surrogates and medical providers to navigate this life phase with confidence and dignity. Our Vision Empowered life choices. End of CPR VERSUS DNR FOR THE ELDERLY PATIENT For patients ages 70 to 79, the rate of survival to discharge was about 19 percent. For older patients, outcomes were more grim. Among those ages 80 to 89, the rate was 15 percent. Less than 12 percent of patients 90 or older were eventually discharged. “The chance of survival to hospital discharge for in-hospital CPR in older people is

low

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES Advance directives can provide clear guidance to health care providers, reduce the likelihood of a dispute with and among family members and ensure you avoid unwanted procedures. It is a very good idea to make sure your doctor (or agent) knows your wishes and has the latest copy of your advance directive on file. HINDUISM AND END OF LIFE CARE Hinduism, with more than 900 million adherents, is the world’s third largest faith. It is the dominant religion of the Indian subcontinent. Krishna is worshipped as the avatar of the god Vishnu or Bhagavan, Supreme Being, in some traditions. Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. Often called a “way of life” instead of a religion, Hinduism has no PROMOTING JUSTICE IN PALLIATIVE CARE Dr. Catherine Deamant of John H Stroger Hospital addresses end of life care and more in Cook County’s Safety Net Hospital Dr. Catherine Deamant is the director of Palliative Care Services at Cook County Health and Hospital Systems. Based on Chicago’s near west side, the 464-bed Stroger Hospital is dedicated to the health care needs of ARE WE BEING SELFISH WHEN WE SELF-PRESERVE? Self-preservation is not the act of being selfish at all; in fact, it is all about being selfless with ourselves and others. Taking care of ourselves seems to be one of our most difficult challenges. We should all learn to like ourselves in a nurturing, protective way. Setting limits and boundaries with kindness is the essence of

self-preservation.

ISLAM AND END OF LIFE CARE Islam And End Of Life Care. “Allah” in Arabic calligraphy. Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. Islamic ideas about death and the afterlife influence adherents’ attitudes towards end of life decision-making, because they hold that faithful Muslims return to Allah. For a believer in the afterlife who tried his or her best,

death signals a

FAITH IMPACTS END OF LIFE CARE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANS Faith, distrust of the medical system and family dynamics discourage many seriously ill African-Americans from choosing hospice and palliative care services. A new study published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine highlights the effects of church– the spiritual center for many African-Americans– on end of life-decision-making. ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THEM? The growing population of healthier older Americans is changing the way some medical centers choose recipients of organ donations. Debates are now brewing about who should receive vital organs and if age is a

legitimate factor.

PASSAGES HOSPICE OWNER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FRAUD Passages served patients throughout the Midwest and billed Medicare more than $90 million from 2008-2012. “A lot of my patients really didn’t need to be on hospice,” a former employee told Life Matters Media. “A lot of the patients that I had didn’t need to be on continuous care, and they would just shove me in there.”. THE DISPARITY BETWEEN CASH AND CARE IN THE FOR-PROFIT According to NPR, when Medicaid is the primary source of income for nursing homes, the homes tend to provide a lower quality of care. This is true not just for the Medicaid patient, but for all patients there, even private pay. The Medicaid reimbursement level causes the homes to lose about two percent on each resident. PASSAGES HOSPICE OWNER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FRAUD Passages served patients throughout the Midwest and billed Medicare more than $90 million from 2008-2012. “A lot of my patients really didn’t need to be on hospice,” a former employee told Life Matters Media. “A lot of the patients that I had didn’t need to be on continuous care, and they would just shove me in there.”. MAKING FUN OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA ISN’T COOL In one scene, a low-level aid tries to convince Reagan that he is only an actor playing the president in a movie. Reagan’s family called the project “cruel” and “heartless.”. “Alzheimer’s is the ultimate pirate, pillaging a person’s life and leaving an empty landscape behind,” his GUIDE TO DIGITAL DEATH Life Matters Media’s Guide to Digital Death Family photos, voice recordings, phone numbers, legal documents, financial information, and more could be lost if your loved ones are unable to access your on FAMILY PHYSICIANS PLAY KEY ROLES AT THE END OF LIFE, STUDY Family physicians play a vital role in helping terminally ill patients to die in comfortable and familiar surroundings, according to new findings published in the Annals of Family Medicine. Researchers, led by Thijs Reyniers, from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium, sought to better understand family physicians’ perceptions regarding their SO THAT WE KNOW HOW TO LIVE: A COURSE IN DEATH AND DYING The course is sometimes taught within anthropology or sociology departments, examining worldwide beliefs and rituals around the end of life. Sometimes, it is a psychology course that examines human responses to death, mourning and grief. Other times, it may be a course in philosophy or religious studies that looks at various belief

systems

ROMAN CATHOLICISM AND END OF LIFE CARE Courtesy WikiMedia Commons. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that effective pain management is a critical component of appropriate end of life care ( Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, 2009 ). Pope Francis recently addressed the importance of palliative medicine– care designed to treat side-effects of both THE BELL TOLLS FOR DEATH BY NEUROLOGIC CRITERIA: THE CASE BY CRAIG KLUGMAN, PH.D A judge in Reno, Nevada, has denied a request from St. Mary’s Regional Hospital to conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine the death of a 20-year-old patient. Aden Hailu was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno when she was hospitalized due to abdominal pain in April. During exploratory surgery, she WHAT REALLY MATTERS AT THE END: BJ MILLER OF ZEN HOSPICE Palliative care physician Dr. BJ Miller was introduced to death in an unexpected way. As a sophomore in college, Miller climbed atop a parked commuter train and was shocked by 11,000 volts of electricity. “The electrical current entered my arm and blew down and out my 'THE FAULT IN OUR STARS': FACING DEATH WITH LOVE The film, based on the bestselling book of the same name, tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley), a lonely 17-year-old living with thyroid cancer and severely weakened lungs (she relies on an oxygen machine to breathe). Upon her mother’s insistence that she make friends and have some fun, she reluctantly

attends a cheesy

CPR VERSUS DNR FOR THE ELDERLY PATIENT Susan M. Mathews, PhD, RN smcmat@gmail.com. In 1988, Dr. Mathews founded Corporate Health Dimensions (CHD) and while serving as its President, CHD became the country’s largest management company for medical and pharmacy services for Fortune 500 companies. GUIDE TO DIGITAL DEATH Life Matters Media’s Guide to Digital Death Family photos, voice recordings, phone numbers, legal documents, financial information, and more could be lost if your loved ones are unable to access your on MAKING FUN OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA ISN’T COOL As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to suspend all in-person programming. Please stay safe and healthy. We hope to

see you all soon.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES Tom Bennington tbennington@lksu.com. Thomas F. Bennington, Jr., a partner with the Chicago firm Lawrence, Kamin, Saunders & Uhlenhop LLC., Businesses & Corporations and Estate Planning practices, is a recognized leader in business sales and purchases, commercial real estate, wealth protection, business succession planning, and wills and

trusts.

PROMOTING JUSTICE IN PALLIATIVE CARE Dr. Catherine Deamant of John H Stroger Hospital addresses end of life care and more in Cook County’s Safety Net Hospital Dr. Catherine Deamant is the director of Palliative Care Services at Cook County Health and Hospital Systems. Based on Chicago’s near west side, the 464-bed Stroger Hospital is dedicated to the health care needs of FAMILY PHYSICIANS PLAY KEY ROLES AT THE END OF LIFE, STUDY Family physicians play a vital role in helping their terminally ill patients to die in familiar surroundings, according to new findings published in the Annals of Family Medicine. ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THEM? The growing population of healthier older Americans is changing the way some medical centers choose recipients of organ donations. Debates are now brewing about who should receive vital organs and if age is a

legitimate factor.

MR. ROGERS WASN'T AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT DEATH New Film Sheds Light On Beloved TV Host. As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to suspend all in-person programming. FAITH IMPACTS END OF LIFE CARE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANSEND OF LIFE CARE NURSING INTERVENTIONSEND OF LIFE AND NURSING Compared with other racial and ethnic groups, African-Americans are among the most religious. BY DANIEL GAITAN | daniel@lifemattersmedia.org Faith, distrust of the medical system and family dynamics discourage many seriously ill African-Americans from choosing hospice and FEEDING TUBES: FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH DECISION Many families caring for seniors with advanced neurological disease face this dilemma: prolong their loved one’s life by artificial means via a feeding tube or stop feeding them altogether. CPR VERSUS DNR FOR THE ELDERLY PATIENT Susan M. Mathews, PhD, RN smcmat@gmail.com. In 1988, Dr. Mathews founded Corporate Health Dimensions (CHD) and while serving as its President, CHD became the country’s largest management company for medical and pharmacy services for Fortune 500 companies. GUIDE TO DIGITAL DEATH Life Matters Media’s Guide to Digital Death Family photos, voice recordings, phone numbers, legal documents, financial information, and more could be lost if your loved ones are unable to access your on MAKING FUN OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA ISN’T COOL As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to suspend all in-person programming. Please stay safe and healthy. We hope to

see you all soon.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES Tom Bennington tbennington@lksu.com. Thomas F. Bennington, Jr., a partner with the Chicago firm Lawrence, Kamin, Saunders & Uhlenhop LLC., Businesses & Corporations and Estate Planning practices, is a recognized leader in business sales and purchases, commercial real estate, wealth protection, business succession planning, and wills and

trusts.

PROMOTING JUSTICE IN PALLIATIVE CARE Dr. Catherine Deamant of John H Stroger Hospital addresses end of life care and more in Cook County’s Safety Net Hospital Dr. Catherine Deamant is the director of Palliative Care Services at Cook County Health and Hospital Systems. Based on Chicago’s near west side, the 464-bed Stroger Hospital is dedicated to the health care needs of FAMILY PHYSICIANS PLAY KEY ROLES AT THE END OF LIFE, STUDY Family physicians play a vital role in helping their terminally ill patients to die in familiar surroundings, according to new findings published in the Annals of Family Medicine. ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: WHO SHOULD RECEIVE THEM? The growing population of healthier older Americans is changing the way some medical centers choose recipients of organ donations. Debates are now brewing about who should receive vital organs and if age is a

legitimate factor.

MR. ROGERS WASN'T AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT DEATH New Film Sheds Light On Beloved TV Host. As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to suspend all in-person programming. FAITH IMPACTS END OF LIFE CARE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICANSEND OF LIFE CARE NURSING INTERVENTIONSEND OF LIFE AND NURSING Compared with other racial and ethnic groups, African-Americans are among the most religious. BY DANIEL GAITAN | daniel@lifemattersmedia.org Faith, distrust of the medical system and family dynamics discourage many seriously ill African-Americans from choosing hospice and FEEDING TUBES: FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH DECISION Many families caring for seniors with advanced neurological disease face this dilemma: prolong their loved one’s life by artificial means via a feeding tube or stop feeding them altogether. HOME - LIFE MATTERS MEDIA Our Mission Life Matters Media aims to be the premiere provider of information, resources and support for all involved in end of life decision-making. Through fostering better communication, we will empower the ill, aged, caregivers, surrogates and medical providers to navigate this life phase with confidence and dignity. Our Vision Empowered life choices. End of MAKING FUN OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA ISN’T COOL As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to suspend all in-person programming. Please stay safe and healthy. We hope to

see you all soon.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES Tom Bennington tbennington@lksu.com. Thomas F. Bennington, Jr., a partner with the Chicago firm Lawrence, Kamin, Saunders & Uhlenhop LLC., Businesses & Corporations and Estate Planning practices, is a recognized leader in business sales and purchases, commercial real estate, wealth protection, business succession planning, and wills and

trusts.

ISLAM AND END OF LIFE CARE ISLAM AT A GLANCE. Islam is a monotheistic and Abrahamic religion with more than 1.6 billion adherents worldwide. Islam was promulgated by the Prophet Muhammad in Arabia during the seventh century CE. THE DISPARITY BETWEEN CASH AND CARE IN THE FOR-PROFIT Susan M. Mathews, PhD, RN smcmat@gmail.com. In 1988, Dr. Mathews founded Corporate Health Dimensions (CHD) and while serving as its President, CHD became the country’s largest management company for medical and pharmacy services for Fortune 500 companies. BEING MORTAL: FRONTLINE EXPLORES DEATH AND DYING Frontline brought frank discussion about death and dying to millions of American homes this week with "Being Mortal" PASSAGES HOSPICE OWNER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR FRAUD The owner of a now-shuttered Illinois hospice company was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in federal prison for running an elaborate $20 million hospice care scheme. 'DALLAS BUYERS CLUB' INTIMATELY EXPLORES END OF LIFE Dallas Buyers Club intimately explores the fears and stigmas faced by the gay and straight men diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1980s Texas, a period when myth and judgements surrounded the disease and few proven treatment options were available to those living in the U.S. THE BELL TOLLS FOR DEATH BY NEUROLOGIC CRITERIA: THE CASE BY CRAIG KLUGMAN, PH.D A judge in Reno, Nevada, has denied a request from St. Mary’s Regional Hospital to conduct an evidentiary hearing to determine the death of a 20-year-old patient. Aden Hailu was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno when she was hospitalized due to abdominal pain in April. During exploratory surgery, she CHOOSING NOT TO EAT AND DRINK: SOME TERMINALLY ILL HASTEN The choice to stop eating and drinking is a legal and ethical option to hasten death, says end of life counselor Judith Schwarz of Compassion and Choices

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