How Medical Aid in Dying would work in New York bill was reviewed by Thad Mirer. The status of the campaign and the actions that advocates can take to help pass the bill were discussed by Corinne Carey, NY & NJ Campaign Director for Compassion & Choices.

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At our first in-person meeting in over three years, Corinne Carey, Senior New York Campaign Director for Compassion & Choices, spoke about medical aid in dying — what it is, where it is legal, and what it will take to get the Medical Aid in Dying Act passed in New York.

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This online Zoom program was presented by Dr. David Pratt, MD and Rev. Dave Munro, Esq. The slides presented by Dr. Pratt are available in our library HERE  in PDF format, and those presented by Rev. Dave Munro, Esq. are available in our library HERE  in PDF format. Also, a document titled “Advance Health Care Directives in New York” by Dave Munro, which is a companion to his presentation, ia available in our library HERE , in PDF format. Unfortunately, a video of the program is not available.

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The first part, presented by Thad Mirer, looked at the history and structure of the laws, at the proposed law for NY, and at the law in Canada. The second part, presented by Amanda Cavanaugh, looked at the advocacy happening in NY and at what supporters can do now. No program video is available, but the presentation for the first part is available in our library HERE , and that for the second part HERE .

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This online Zoom program was sponsored jointly with End of Life Choices New York, and it was presented by David Leven, the former Executive Director of EOLC-NY. The webinar reviewed the importance of the various types of advance directives and the elements of advance planning, and it looked at the problem that some patients receive unwanted care. A video of the program is available at https://vimeo.com/559243548

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This online Zoom program was sponsored jointly with End of Life Choices New York, and it was presented by Judith Schwarz, the clinical director of EOLC-NY. The program covered the steps we might to follow to live safely in this COVID environment and discussed the importance of making or updating our advance directives for medical care. A video of the program is available at https://vimeo.com/462388029

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This meeting was canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak.

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Have you had “The Conversation” with your loved ones about the care you want at the end of your life? This workshop, presented by Death with Dignity–Albany and hosted by the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, will give you the skills — and the courage — to have these conversations.

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This documentary film explores death and dying through a series of personal stories and interviews and provides valuable information about planning for the end of life. The focus is on how a terminal ill individual wants to manage his or her dying — with continued medical treatment or with hospice care. Although a video of the program will not be available, the film itself can be seen at passing-on.org

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As people get older they begin to consider options for their future living arrangements and personal care. This presentation, by Attorney Jane-Marie Schaeffer, reviewed various options and the methods of helping to pay for them, including insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. A video of the program is available at https://vimeo.com/364844946

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Guest Speaker Jennifer Hoit is a registered nurse and a certified Death Doula, who is a non-medical professional who is trained to care for a terminally ill person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs during the dying process. She will discuss how Palliative Care, Hospice, and Death Doulas can care for the dying with management of symptoms and  with heart. A video of the program is available at https://vimeo.com/340034850 and the slide presentation is available in our library.

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Death with Dignity–Albany is hosting an information table at a Health & Services Fair being held at the Albany Jewish Community Center. This will be an excellent opportunity to talk informally with people about medical aid in dying, and to encourage them to complete advance care plans and communicate their wishes to their loved ones.

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We will be joining other Compassion & Choices supporters from around the state to tell our legislators how important it is to New Yorkers that end-of-life options be expanded by passing the Medical Aid in Dying Act. Both the recent approval of a similar law in New Jersey and the expression of support by Governor Cuomo have added new momentum to the effort.

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We visit the offices of lawmakers to talk to them about our bill, answer any questions they might have, and ask for their support.

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In this documentary, filmmaker Cathy Zheutlin tells the stories of four friends with terminal illness who choose to live out their final days at home with creativity, humor, and courage. We are brought face to face with the pain, the fear, and the beauty which can be part of the final journey that awaits us all.

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We visit the offices of lawmakers to talk to them about our bill, answer any questions they might have, and ask for their support.

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John Cannon and Glenn Ward, co-owners of the Cannon Funeral Home in Albany, will review the many alternatives, resources and questions associated with contemporary funeral practices. The program will focus on informed decision-making for you and your loved ones to assure final wishes are achieved. A video of the program is available at https://vimeo.com/313857129

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In a “fireside chat” interview format, state Senator Neil D. Breslin will comment on topics such as: the November election results in New York, prospects for passing the Medical Aid in Dying Act in the 2019 legislative session, barriers to passage of the Act and how they might be overcome, and how supporters can most effectively express their views to their state lawmakers. A video of the program is available at https://vimeo.com/304154459

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Our partners from Compassion & Choices NY, campaign director Corinne Carey and campaign organizer Amanda Cavanaugh, will review the status of the Medical Aid in Dying Act and will discuss how we can help influence our legislators on this issue. No program video will be available.

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Judith Schwarz, RN, PhD, will discuss the new dementia provision for advance directives created by End of Life Choices New York. The provision (which is available at endoflifechoicesny.org/dementia/) is designed for those with an early stage of Alzheimer’s or another dementia disease or for those with a significant family history of dementia, who wish to specify their care preferences once their dementia becomes advanced. This new directive will be described in detail, along with the clinical, ethical and potential legal considerations. The program slides are available in our library HERE. No program video will be available.

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The NYS Assembly Health Committee will hold a public hearing in Albany on April 23 to hear testimony on the Medical Aid in Dying Act. Compassion & Choices New York is organizing a Lobby Day to bring supporters from around the state to attend the hearing and show widespread support for the Act. After the hearing, we will meet with legislators and their staffs to seek their support and to share with them why passing the Medical Aid in Dying Act is so important. A video of the hearing (and also one of a May 3 hearing in New York City) is available at http://nyassembly.gov/av/hearings/

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A program with two speakers. Susan Harris, EdD, proposes ways to reject the mantle of ageism and shape the future we envision and want for ourselves. Ellen Cole, PhD, presents what women say about their lives, the challenges and the joys, and conclude with what we can learn about thriving in one’s 8th decade and beyond. A video of Part One of the program is available at https://vimeo.com/266509962  Part Two is available at https://vimeo.com/266517349

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Part One:  Organize and Declutter, presented by Lynda Shrager. How to declutter, how to decide “who gets what”, how to get rid of stuff, and other tips and techniques. Part Two:  Digital Estate Planning — What You Need to Know, presented by Dorothee Racette. Staying on top of passwords, and providing access to your digital assets and accounts to a fiduciary and your executors. A video of Part One of the program is available at https://vimeo.com/259730743  Part Two is available at https://vimeo.com/261015050 with new material beginning at time-mark 3:20. Both videos conclude with a presentation by Amanda Cavanaugh about progress in the campaign for Medical Aid in Dying in New York.

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We have learned from our friends in California, Colorado, and DC how helpful city and county resolutions in support of the pending legislation can be. At this meeting Amanda Cavanaugh (Campaign Organizer for Compassion & Choices NY and Advocacy Coordinator for Death with Dignity–Albany) reviewed ideas being considered for carrying out advocacy at the local level in New York. The meeting included an open Q&A discussion that covered a variety of topics and was very helpful. The program video is available at https://vimeo.com/251661834

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Have you had “the conversation” — the conversation with your loved ones about your wishes and preferences for end-of-life care? Unless you talk about it ahead of time, they won’t know how to proceed if they need to make difficult decisions on your behalf. This program, based on the work of The Conversation Project, will provide you with materials, tools and tips for having these conversations. If you’ve been hesitating, or just need a jump-start, this program will be helpful to you. No program video will be available.

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Attorneys Margaret Vella and Andrew Carbone will review the necessary documents to ensure that your end-of-life wishes will be honored. They will discuss Wills, Powers of Attorney, “Living Wills” or Advance Care Directives, Healthcare Proxies, and other topics. No program video will be available.

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This participative program will provide an opportunity to talk informally about death with dignity and end-of-life concerns. The program will feature confidential, facilitated conversations in small groups. Topics will be determined by participants, and could include subjects such as factors to consider when choosing your health care proxy, dealing with religious objections to end of life decisions, coping with fear of dying, and everyday ways to advocate for death with dignity. No program video will be available.

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Beth Mahar, Director of Operations for the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of NY State (HPCANYS), will chair a panel exploring the provisions of hospice and palliative care to terminally ill patients. Provider services, legal restrictions/requirements, qualifying conditions, and the role of hospice and palliative services in end-of-life care will be explored in an interactive format. The program video is available at https://vimeo.com/228665743 The program slides are available in our library.

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Judith Schwarz, RN, PhD, the Clinical Director of End of Life Choices NY, will present information about VSED, which is a legal option in New York State. Implications for both the patient and family, and responsibilities for caregivers will be featured. Information will also be presented about how provisions for VSED can be included in Advance Care Directives in the event of loss of decision-making capacity due to Alzheimer’s or dementia. The program video is available at https://vimeo.com/222398882 The program slides are available in our library.

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Supporters and advocates will travel to Albany from across the state to rally in support of New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act and visit with their own Assembly Members and Senators, as well as other key lawmakers poised to take a vote on the bill. Mark your calendar to join us. No video is available.

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This program will feature opportunities to learn effective strategies and techniques for communicating with legislators and ensuring that your feelings are articulated in a clear and robust manner. Observations of role-playing scenarios and a conversation with a New York State official will assist those in attendance to learn “how to make difference” when communicating with your elected representatives. No program video is available.

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We will show the 2015 PBS FRONTLINE program on Dr. Atul Gawande, author of the best-selling book Being Mortal, followed by a discussion afterwards. The film investigates the practice of caring for the dying, and shows how doctors are often remarkably untrained, ill-suited and uncomfortable talking about chronic illness and death with their patients. No program video is available.

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Dr. David S. Pratt, MD, MPH will discuss the services provided through Palliative Care and Hospice. Who is eligible? What is included? When should people become involved? What is the process for getting these services? The program video is available at https://vimeo.com/197916413 The program slides are available in our library.

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Estate Planning isn’t just about money—it is also choosing the people you want to speak for you when you are no longer able, and providing them with the legal authority to carry out your wishes. Attorney Louis W Pierro will discuss Advance Directives, DNR orders, and how to have frank, honest discussions about your choices with family, physicians, attorneys and caregivers. The program video is available at https://vimeo.com/191491688.

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An interfaith panel of nationally and locally prominent clergy members will explore how their ethical and religious beliefs relate to end-of-life options in the context of pending legislation in New York authorizing medical aid in dying. Panelists will include Dr. David M. Gordis, Rev. Dr. Eric S. Shaw, and Dr. William Levering. The program video is available at https://vimeo.com/188313601.

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Our next New York Lobby Day will be Tuesday, May 10. It’s an important opportunity to share your personal story and continue to build support with face-to-face interactions. No experience is needed. Compassion & Choices will organize teams for visits with your Senator and Assembly Member, and will provide training, materials and talking points in advance.

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Peter Richardson’s award-winning 2011 documentary takes you into the lives of terminally ill men and women as they face end-of-life decisions and consider availing themselves of Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, which was enacted in 1997.

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Wondering about the status of lobbying efforts to pass legislation on end of life options? Looking for a way to get involved? Please join us at this meeting for a very practical discussion.

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Albany Law School Government Law Center presents: “Death with Dignity: The Role of Medical Professionals from Legal and Medical Perspectives.” Speakers: David Leven, Esq., Director, End of Life Choices New York and Timothy Quill, M.D., Director of the Center for Ethics, Humanities and Palliative Care, University of Rochester.

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Let’s Talk: Group Discussions about Death with Dignity and End of Life Issues  Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015 – 12:15 – 1:45 pm William K Sanford Town Library Albany-Shaker Road, Colonie, NY Previous meetings presented by Death with Dignity-Albany have featured guest speakers who were experts in their field. Now it’s…

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Death with Dignity–Albany will be hosting an information table during the day at the Resource Fair at Albany Law School’s 21^st annual Senior Citizens’ Law Day. The day will feature a full schedule of workshops on 30 topics facilitated by attorneys, financial advisors and other experts.

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“I Did It My Way . . . Legal and Practical Issues in End of Life Decisions,” presented by Attorney Louis W. Pierro. Advance care planning is critical to ensuring that your final wishes are carried out. This session will explore what works, what doesn’t, and how to make your best case for death with dignity within the current legal framework.

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