Before Goodbye: A Mindful Approach to Preparing for a Parent’s Death

On the Centered in the City podcast, I got to interview Schuyler Copple, LICSW, about her experience working in hospice.

We talked about:

• Getting curious to understand our own relationship with death

• Be braving to have uncomfortable conversations with aging parents about their end of life desires

• The various options out there for end of life care when someone is terminally ill

I personally have wanted to have this conversation on the podcast for a long time because navigating a parent’s death is extremely challenging. Not only is there personal grief you are navigating, but managing estate paperwork and the healthcare system can be very messy. The more we can be proactive with hard conversations the easier this journey can become.

Take a listen to the podcast here.

Share this episode with someone in your life. We could all use support having these conversations and knowing we aren’t alone.

Check out resources she shares here:

• Death doula, Alua Arthur’s, TED Talk: Why Thinking About Death Helps You Live a Better Life

• Get It Together: Organize Your Records So Your Family Won't Have To (also available on Amazon)

• What is a POLST form?

• End of Life Washington supports people exploring Death with Dignity / Medical Aid in Dying

• List of podcast shows and episodes related to end-of-life planning and care

Download Resources here:

• Your Conversation Starter Guide: How to talk about what matters to you and have a say in your healthcare

• What happens if I don’t choose a healthcare agent/proxy? (decision-making order)

• Your Guide to Choosing a Healthcare Proxy

• My End-of-Life Decisions: An advance planning guide and toolkit

• What Matters to Me: A workbook for people with serious illness

• Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) template

• Advance Directive or Living Will template

• Portable Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) template

• Checklist: After a Death Occurs