EmbracingSunset

I would like to have this option someday and I would like to be able to present this option to my clients. In my opinion , Medical Aid in Dying should be available in every state.

Rita Mannebach Traveled From Florida to Vermont to Choose How She Died Two days before she drank a cocktail of medications that would end her life, Rita Mannebach said she was not afraid. "I don't know what...

This is so important and so difficult for most people to come to terms with. Our nurturing nature shows love through simple acts of service like offering food and water. It’s so hard to let go of our own need to “help” and allow the natural process to continue…

I was sitting with someone recently who was nearing the end of his life. He was medicated, and dying. A staff member at the facility came in with a drink, and forced the straw in his mouth. When that didn’t work, she put the glass to his lips forcing the liquid in his mouth, loudly telling him to drink it.
He swallowed, and coughed.
I gasped.
I teared up.
And I screamed at her to stop.
Unacceptable!!!!

I took a deep breath, and I gently educated her on how dangerous this is:

Me: If someone is asleep, medicated, and dying, they are more susceptible to choking. This would cause him to suffer.

Her: But he hasn’t had anything to eat or drink all day. He could starve or get dehydrated.

Me: Actually, he would suffer more from you forcing it. If he refuses, closes his mouth, or is asleep and non-responsive, respect that. His body does not need that any more. What he needs is kindness, and gentle, compassionate care. Just bring your heart to his bedside, make sure he is clean and comfortable, and let him know he is safe and not alone. That is the kindest thing you can do for him.

Her: Thank you… no one ever told me that before.

The body does not need food and water when it is trying to let go. That will not bring it comfort, infact it can actually make it harder on the body, causing your person more discomfort.

Education is so important!

xo
Gabby
www.thehospiceheart.net

You can find this and other end-of-life tips and tools in my book:
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Tips-Gabrielle-Elise-Jimenez/dp/B0C9G8PZZ5

IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE, put a beneficiary on all of your financial accounts like checking savings CDs, Life Insurance, investments etc. You don't need a will for them to get to your money, just a death certificate. And make a list, preferably by hand instead of your computer, either give it to your trusted person, spouse or put it in your security box at the bank. If the person doesn't know you have a savings account or a CD at XYZ Bank, they can never go get the money. Make sure you have a trusted person that is a signer on the security box at the bank.
🗣 IMPORTANT information to get your affairs in order‼️
💰Make sure all bank accounts have direct beneficiaries. The beneficiary need only go to the bank with your death certificate and an ID of their own.
🏡 TOD = Transfer On Death deed if you own a home. Completing this document and filing it with your county saves your heirs THOUSANDS. This document allows you to transfer ownership of your home to your designee. All they need to do is take their ID and your death certificate to the county building and the deed is signed over. Doing this will avoid the home having to go through probate.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Living Will: Allows one to put in writing exactly what you want done in the event you cannot speak for yourself when it comes to healthcare decisions as well as other final decisions.
👩🏽‍⚖️Durable Power of Attorney: Allows one to designate a person to make legal decisions if you are no longer competent to do so.
🏥Power of Attorney for Healthcare: This document allows one to designate someone to make healthcare decisions for them.
🛍Last Will and Testament: Designates to whom personal belongings will go to, who the Administrator will be. But if you have a beneficiary on any of your financial accounts, that will override a will. For instance if you say I leave all of my possessions to my daughter Susie, but on your savings account the beneficiary is your best friend, then the money goes to your best friend
🪦Funeral Planning Declaration: Allows one to say exactly one’s wishes as far as disposition of the body and the services.
If the above documents are done, you can AVOID probate.
If all the above is not done, you have to open an estate account at the bank. All money that doesn’t have direct beneficiaries goes into this account. You have to have an attorney to open the estate account. The attorney also has to publicize your passing in the newspaper or post publication at the county courthouse, to allow anyone to make a claim on your property. - It’s a complete PAIN.
📚 💳Make a list of all banks and account numbers, all investment institutions with account numbers, lists of credit cards, utility accounts, etc. Leave clear instructions as to how and when these things are paid.
Make sure heirs know where life insurance policies are located. 📂
📝Make 100% sure SOMEONE knows your Apple ID, bank ID account logins and passwords!
🚗 Make sure you have titles for all vehicles, campers, etc!
Set up a TRUST for intended beneficiaries, especially those that are too young, and appoint a trustee of said trust.
MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!! - Talk with those closest to you and make all your wishes KNOWN. Talk to those whom you’ve designated, as well as those close to you whom you did not designate. - Do this to explain why your decisions were made and to avoid any lingering questions or hurt feelings.
⚡️Hope this helps! ⚡️Hope this lights a spark to encourage all your friends and family to take care of these things to make it easier for those we all leave behind!
My hope is that the above list at least helps you start an important conversation with your loved ones...
(REPOST-I DID) and it’s a very necessary conversation

Grief work

Excited to see that this is a #1 new release on Amazon. My sincere hope is that it supports so many who are experiencing loss. Here’s the link to pre-order
https://amzn.to/3OCXoXX

So excited to find these amazing resources from Gabby Elise Jiminez! Check out her work at The Hospice Heart

RIP to a true pioneer in the death work field. I recently heard a great interview with him and was inspired… so much gratitude! 🙏💕🙏

Fundamental FREE course for everyone to consider taking! We all die and know people who will die. It’s better to be prepared. ❤️❤️❤️

FREE Doulagivers Institute 90-Minute Level 1 End of Life Doula and Family Caregiver Training Webinar (On-Demand!) Learn How to Provide Compassionate Care and Support to Someone Who is Dying in 90 Minutes!

The Looming Elder Care Crisis - Doulagivers There is an eldercare and end of life care crisis looming in the United States and all around the world. You may have heard something about the...

I’ve been doing some research on the death industry and how death has become another part of our lives that is exploited by greedy corporations. 💰😱 The institutions feed into each other (hospitals, insurance companies, funeral homes, etc…) and often tell people what they “should” do, which is almost always a very expensive and impersonal process instead of sharing that we have OPTIONS!

Be sure to research all the options available in your state and contact a death doula if you want someone knowledgeable to bring in support, compassionate care, and to help with planning.

For more information on Home Funerals, check out

https://youtu.be/gQVC-8WEB7s
This is a fantastic talk about what needs to change in our culture and systems. Death is not a medical condition. It’s a part of life.

We’re Doing Dying All Wrong | Ken Hillman | TEDxSydney As a world leader in managing the care of very sick people, Ken Hillman’s breakthrough methods of treating critically ill patients have become the gold stand...

Let’s talk about death! It’s a part of life that we all have to face. When did we become so terrified of even mentioning it? Ours is the only culture in the world 🌍 that has tried so desperately to separate ourselves from the reality of death. This has led us into denial, irrational fear, and neglect of the most vulnerable people in our society; our elders.
It’s high time to normalize death again so that we can move into acceptance and properly care for our loved ones.
I am in the process of becoming an end of life doula because I believe that the end of life is just as beautiful and important as the beginning of life!
I will be sharing important information and please feel free to reach out to me with your questions or stories…. I’m here to learn for life! 😉